Firefighters were called to Springfield Grange in Farmhill, Douglas this morning after confirmed reports of a fire.

At 11.45am, crews from Douglas station attended the residential home after a fire inside a washing machine was discovered by staff who raised the alarm.

Upon arrival the firefighters were informed every resident and member of staff was accounted for and they quickly extinguished the fire using a hose reel.

Station officer Brian Quirk praised the care staff in a statement saying: ’Thanks to the quick actions of staff, who managed to activate a break glass point for the alarm system and safely isolate the electrical supply to the equipment prior to evacuating, fire damage was confined to the internals of the appliance.

’’Due to the good management of these procedures on this occasion disruption to the occupants of the building was minimal.

’Moderate smoke logging was confined to the immediate area due to the internal fire doors closing on activation of the alarm system.’

He also confirmed the fire was as a result of an electrical component failure.

The fire service statement noted how important having well-rehearsed emergency procedures in place can be in an emergency.

Information relating to emergency and evacuation procedures can be obtained from the Fire Safety team at Fire Service Headquarters, Tromode Road, Douglas, or ring 647300.