Tragedy of killer blaze at Wellesley Road Home for Older People

Published: 25 February 2010
by CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS

CARE staff have been left traumatised after a pensioner died in a fire at an old people’s home believed to have started when he dropped a cigarette on himself in his room.

The Town Hall says workers put in a ­heroic effort desperately trying to save Alex Andrews, 68, at the Wellesley Road Home for Older People in Gospel Oak. They also rushed to move fellow residents, some in their 80s, to safety.

Mr Andrews had settled at the home after a turbulent life, some of which was spent living in the Arlington House hostel for homeless men in Camden Town.

But amid all the praise for staff, an out­spoken councillor who witnessed the fire on Friday night has called for an inquiry into emergency arrangements and raised concerns about what might have happened if the fire had spread. Councillor Keith Sedgwick, who lives nearby and rushed into the building to help residents, described the scene as “organised chaos”.

His version of events is disputed by senior council figures – including some of his ­Conservative party colleagues. In contrast, Tory social services chief Councillor Martin Davies has been full of praise for everybody involved.

The New Journal was told it could not speak to any member of staff at the home and was asked not to try and speak to Mr Andrews’s friends in the home. That policy meant Cllr Sedgwick was the only man on the scene who would give an eyewitness description.

He said: “This was not a well-practised evacuation process that was understood by everyone involved. It was organised chaos. People were being evacuated from their rooms but it was clear there were not enough people to help. Residents were at best concerned, at worst disorientated.”

Mr Andrews had been “risk assessed” and had permission to smoke in his room. An inquest into his death was opened on Tuesday and will be resumed in May.

In contrast to Cllr Sedgwick’s account, Cllr Davies praised staff’s quick thinking.
“Everyone at Wellesley Road is deeply saddened by the tragic death of this much-loved resident and both staff and other residents miss them deeply,” he said.

“We are offering support to all staff and care home residents following this tragedy; particularly those members of staff who were quick to respond and take action at the time of the incident. Our thoughts are with friends, family and others at this time.”

Cllr Davies added: “Staff are very sad and upset. Mr Davies had an unsettled life but had found a home and care and a stable life for the three years he was at Wellesley Road, and made many friends there.”

A council spokesman said the evacuation of the building and care of the elderly met all national guidelines. “Staff exting­uished the fire before the Fire Brigade arrived,” the spokesman added.
“As this was being done, a rolling horizontal evacuation took place of the ground floor of the home, whereby residents closest to where the fire took place were moved away. This is standard procedure when a fire breaks out in a care home or hospital.”

Mr Andrews had fam­ily in Wolverhampton, a friend of the home said, adding that he was also divorced and estranged from his relatives.

Cllr Davies said staff would remember Mr Andrews for sitting in the hall, as “he loved watching the comings and goings” at the home.

He was independent, one of the few residents who could go out unassisted, and would often go for a pint in the nearby pub, the Westport Inn.

An investigation has been launched by both Camden’s adult social care team and the Fire Brigade, but Cllr Sedgwick plans to ask questions at Monday’s full council meeting.

The Town Hall say there were five staff on duty on the night of the fire to look after 48 residents – a figure seen as “acceptable” following an assessment by staff of the needs of residents.

Officials insist Camden had always exceeded the demands of staffing to resident ratios as set by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the government care watchdog.

Wellesley Road was built 30 years ago and is set to be torn down in the next four years and rebuilt. Ten years ago the home was shrouded in controversy after the council tried to demolish it but gave up on the idea after residents took their fight to the High Court.

A Fire Brigade spokesman said: “Two fire engines attended and 10 fire fighters. A room on the ground floor was partly damaged. 20 people were evacuated from the ground floor as a precaution. An older man was rescued before the Fire Brigade arrived but died at hospital.”