A HAMPSHIRE pensioner died and six more were being treated in hospital today after a blaze at a nursing home.

The 91-year-old man died after suffering 60 per cent burns to his body.

The fire happened last night at Ramley House nursing home, Ramley Road, Pennington, outside Lymington.

The alarm was raised just after 10pm when smoke was spotted coming from the elderly man's first-floor room.

An 89-year-old woman living in a next-door room suffered from the effects of smoke inhalation when she tried to tackle the flames.

At least ten other frightened residents, including seven in wheelchairs, were saved by firefighters, including those first on the scene who braved entering the smoke-filled building without any breathing gear.

Around 35 firefighters from New Milton, Lymington, Brockenhurst, Southampton and Eastleigh were involved in the rescue.

Senior New Forest police officer Superintendent David Ball confirmed that one man was found in the room where the fire was believed to have started in his bed, suffering from serious burns.

He and six others, including the 89-year-old woman, were both rushed to Southampton General Hospital.

Two firefighters also needed hospital treatment after inhaling smoke.

Police spokesman Susan Rolling confirmed the 91-year-old had died in the early hours of this morning as a result of his injuries. She said the other people receiving hospital treatment were not believed to be in a critical or life-threatening condition.

Early reports suggested that six people were missing, but Superintendent Ball confirmed that everyone was accounted for.

Chief Inspector Martin Nutbeam, who supervised the early part of the police operation, confirmed that the room where the fire started had been sealed off and that the investigation into the cause by police and fire service experts would continue today.

Nursing home owner Diana Thomas discovered the fire when she returned from a visit to Bournemouth and saw the fire engines outside the building. Ten ambulances also dashed to the scene and Chief Inspector Nutbeam confirmed: "It was treated as a major incident by all the emergency services.''

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