MORE than 50 residents had to evacuate a block of retirement and elderly people's flats in Salis-bury after fire broke out.

The residents of Homesarum House in Wilton Road were already clearing the building as firefighters and ambulance crews arrived.

But their manager Christine Osborne had to go to hospital for a check-up after it is thought she was overcome by smoke. The fire is believed to have started in her flat, but thanks to the building's fire alarm system the blaze spread no further.

Station Officer Rob Wallbridge said the building was fitted with smoke alarms and fire detectors and all had worked correctly.

He said: "As soon as the alarms sounded, the residents followed the correct procedure and evacuated the building to the safety of the grounds. As yet we do not know how the fire started but a full investigation will be carried out."