A CARE home kitchen has been completely destroyed by a fire which saw elderly residents evacuated, leaving its owner having to pay for their meals out of his own pocket. 

Firefighters from 11 stations across Essex battled a blaze at the historic Michaelstowe Hall, off Ramsey Road, at about 9.43am on Wednesday. 

In total 27 care home residents – including some bed-bound residents - were evacuated in under 12 minutes from the adjoining Ramsey Care Centre, all of whom safely returned to their rooms later in the evening. 

The decision to move the residents came after a fire at the grade II listed manor house spread to the care home’s roof, causing it to go up in flames and become out of control.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Scene - firefighters battle the inferno in Ramsey Scene - firefighters battle the inferno in Ramsey (Image: Public)
David Wing, owner and manager of Ramsey Care Centre, believes the fire was started accidentally by a worker on the roof of Michaelstowe Hall before it ventured into the loft space.

As a result of the inferno the home's kitchen, which connects to the hall, has been lost, as well as a washing room and three bedrooms which were not occupied at the time of the incident. 

David has now praised his staff for evacuating the residents while ensuring they still had their required rugs, blankets, and equipment. 

He also said the rooms are likely to be out of action for weeks, if not months, and revealed as “any responsible business owner would” he is now paying for three meals to be outsourced at the cost of several thousand pounds a week.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Ruined - The fire has left the Ramsey Care centre' completely unusableRuined - The fire has left the Ramsey Care centre' completely unusable (Image: Submitted)

David has also stressed meals are still being served at the same time as normal to residents due to important continuity of their care plans.

He is now in the process of getting a temporary mobile kitchen unit positioned either inside or outside of the building until a more permeant solution can be found.

David said: “I would like to say thank you to my staff for evacuating quickly and safely as practiced.

“I also thank the Essex fire, ambulance, police, and council services for how they have all supported us in the process.

"Our priority is always the safety of our patients.”