ELDERLY residents of a Suffolk care home were evacuated today after a fire broke out in a linen cupboard.

A total of 34 residents of the Brandon Park nursing home were moved to a neighbouring building after the fire was spotted shortly after 9am.

Fire appliances from Brandon and Thetford were called to the blaze, later joined by appliances from a wider area.

A fleet of ambulance crews from Bury St Edmunds, Mildenhall, Newmarket and Sudbury were also dispatched to the scene.

Two residents had to be taken to hospital for treatment for shock after being rescued from the building.

Reports from the scene suggested that the fire was confined to the linen cupboard, but the first floor of the building was seriously smoke-logged.

Ambulance service spokesman Gary Sanderson said: “The team of paramedics from West Suffolk assisted in the evacuation of 34 residents following a fire that broke out in the building.

“At present, the paramedics are caring for them in a nearby place of safety whilst the incident is being dealt with.”