EIGHT people were evacuated from a retirement home in the early hours of this morning following an electrical fire.

The blaze started in an electricity switching cupboard at Hanover Court in Blackburn Way, Witham, at about 2.25am.

Two fire crews from Witham were sent to the scene and used a pair of dry powder extinguishers and a hose reel jet to put out the flames.

The residents were given treatment at the scene by paramedics after some suffered from smoke inhalation and the property was ventilated with the use of a high-pressure fan.

A Suffolk County Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “Crews reported that the flat where the fire began was filled with smoke when they arrived at the scene. Firefighting operations were hindered while crews waited for the Electricity Board to isolate supply to the property.”

The incident was over by 4.38am.