RESIDENTS had to be evacuated as firefighters tackled a blaze at a Hampshire care home.

Two people needed medical treatment after the fire broke out in a rear first floor bedroom of the Ocknell Park care home in Stoney Cross in the New Forest.

Police and fire have launched an investigation into the incident, which is being treated as arson.

Fire crews from Redbridge, Totton and Lyndhurst were called out and used four breathing apparatus, three jets and a fan to clear smoke.

An ambulance was called and a male member of staff and a resident were treated for smoke inhalation but were not taken to hospital.

Everyone was quickly accounted for.

A fire investigation team and the police's arson task force were called in and a 44-year-old man from the New Forest has been arrested on suspicion of arson.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service did not have details on the extent of the damage caused by the blaze, which emergency services were alerted to at around 9.15am yesterday.

Incident commander Steve Buchanan-Lee said the bedroom was completely on fire, but thanks to fire doors it did not spread to any other rooms.

He said: “Thanks to the management and staff at the premises all fire safety management procedures were fully in place and the fire was quickly contained and extinguished whilst ensuring safety of all residents.”

The home cares for men with learning disabilities, mental disorders and associated complex needs.

A spokeswoman for Choice Care Group, which runs the home, in Plain Road, said: “Choice Care Group is aware of an incident at one of our residential services in Hampshire this morning that resulted in a small fire in one of the bedrooms.

“To ensure the safety of everyone at the service, we immediately activated our fire safety procedures and safely evacuated all service users and staff until the area was made safe and the property checked by the fire brigade.

“The fire alarms at the service and our fire safety procedures worked effectively to manage the situation and ensure the wellbeing of all involved.

“We are proud to say that the staff and service users have done an excellent job in a difficult situation.”