AN investigation has been launched after a fire at a retirement complex.

A fire broke out in one of the bedrooms at Cooper Court, Spital Road, Maldon.

Firefighters from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service were called to the blaze after they were alerted by the Careline service, a personal alarm for elderly people which had been installed in the building.

It is believed one of the residents was able to call for emergency aid before they were overcome from the smoke.

Crews from Maldon and Chelmsford responded to the fire in a bedroom on the ground floor of one of the properties.

Firefighters also carried out checks throughout the properties to check for any further casualties.

Ambulances were called and three residents were treated by paramedics for smoke inhalation.

The property itself also suffered extensive smoke damage although it is unclear at this point what this will mean for the residents.

Dan Partridge, station manager at Maldon Fire Station, said: “We were alerted to the incident by the Careline service with reports that a smoke alarm in a retirement complex was sounding, and on arrival crews discovered a well-developed fire in a resident’s bedroom.

“Residents had followed the stay put policy and we worked with the building’s management to review the visual plans of the building and understand the layout and which rooms were occupied.”

The fire service launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire, which started shortly after 6am on Monday.

The owners, First Post, were contacted for a comment but did not respond before the newspaper went to press.