A police investigation has been launched after a second bedroom fire in four days at a Moretonhampstead care home.
More than 30 firefighters were called to Coppelia House in Court Street last night to tackle the first-floor blaze which destroyed a bedroom.
On Friday night six crews from across South Devon tackled a similar incident in a second-floor bedroom where clothes in a wardrobe caught alight.
On both occasions 25 residents were evacuated, the first time to a downstairs lounge and – in the latest drama – to a rear garden.
Last night’s alarm was triggered just after 9.30pm with crews from the town, Bovey Tracey, North Tawton, Ashburton, Okehampton, Totnes and Buckfastleigh responding to the 999 call.
The Friday night shout happened at 11.30pm.
Six sets of breathing gear were worn by firefighters dealing with the latest and more serious emergency.
The bedroom was destroyed with an adjacent landing also suffering fire damage.
A fire spokesman said the matter would be the result of a joint police and brigade probe.
Three hosereels and a similar number of thermal imaging cameras were needed to knock out last night’s fire together with the use of ladders.
No residents were injured in either fire. In Friday’s blaze one bedroom escaped with just 20 per cent fire damage.
Police, fire officers and the home were expected to issue statements on the matter later today.
A fire spokesman said last night’s operation concluded at 1.20am today, although a team made a further safety inspection at 3am.
A police spokesman said this morning: ’Our officers and the fire service are currently investigating the cause of the fire, and a multi-agency review of the report is ongoing.’