A WINCHESTER care home was saved from a potentially lethal fire by its sprinkler system. 

The blaze started at Westholme Care Home, in Harestock Road on Saturday, March 30 at around 7.20pm.

A Hampshire Fire Service spokesman said: “The HIWFRS Control Room immediately dispatched teams from Winchester, Eastleigh, Whitchurch, and Basingstoke to the site of the fire. Fortunately, the building’s sprinkler system was activated and successfully extinguished the flames before they could spread.

Hampshire Chronicle: Westholme Care Home

“Crews returned to their stations after receiving the stop message at 8pm.”

The care home is owned by Hampshire County Council and will be one of seven to close over the next few years. Westholme Care Home won't close until a new facility at Cornerways, in Kings Worthy, is opened.