DORSET councillors have been given a confidential briefing about the three deaths at the Gainsborough Care Home in Ulwell Road, Swanage on Wedensday (23).

It came at the end of Thursday’s meeting of the Dorset Council People and Health Scrutiny Committee meeting at County Hall, Dorchester.

Chair of the committee, Verwood councillor Toni Coombs started the morning meeting by reading a prepared statement, which she said would not be open to questions.

In it she said the council was “deeply saddened” by the deaths at the care home and said the authority was working with the home’s owner, Weymouth-based Agincare, the emergency services and partner agencies to support the residents who have been evacuated.

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Said Cllr Coombs: “Many of the residents are vulnerable people with significant care needs and so we are working (with them) to understand their needs in the short term and identify the next steps.

"We understand that this incident will have a significant effect on the Swanage community and our thoughts are very much with the families of those who have sadly died at this extremely difficult time.”

She told councillors that four residents and a member of staff had been taken to hospital as a precaution.

“A significant multi-agency presence will remain in the area, including a police cordon as we work with our partners to carry out an investigation,” she said, confirming that the current inquiry focused on possible carbon monoxide poisoning."