A BORDERS Care Home was evacuated last night (Wednesday April 13 2022) following reports of a toxic odour inside the building.

Emergency services were alerted shortly before 6pm and a number of police vehicles, ambulances and fire appliances attended the Garden View Assessment Unit and Care Home in Craw Wood Tweedbank.

The immediate vicinity surrounding the premises was cordoned off to facilitate enquiries.

The facility, which supports older people when leaving hospital had 22 residents.

Following an initial investigation, a decision was taken to re-locate the residents.

Police at the scene said this was being done as a “precaution.” Staff at the premises declined to comment.

At 9.35pm an ambulance containing several elderly people was seen leaving the home.

Local councillor David Parker issued a statement on social media stating: “This evening a full evacuation of the Garden View short stay assessment unit at Tweedbank has been required due to a suspected gas or chemical leak after a strong odour was reported.

“The emergency services and SGN are on site and are supporting the response.

“The facility, which support older people when leaving hospital, currently has 22 occupants. All are safe and well and transport is in place to move them to alternative overnight care accommodation at our Waverley, Deanfield and St Ronan’s care homes.

“Thirteen additional staff are on-site to provide support.

“Families have been informed of the situation and reassured about the steps being taken to support their loved ones and where they will be accommodated tonight.

“There are no concerns at this time about any surrounding homes.

“Further updates will be provided tomorrow once more information is available.”

A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service told the Border telegraph: “We were alerted at 5.58pm on Wednesday, April 13 to reports of a fuel-like smell within a care home in Galashiels.

“Operations Control mobilised three appliances and a specialist resource to the premises in the Tweedbank area of the town and firefighters ventilated the building.”

Police Scotland and the Scottish Borders Council who run the home have been approached for comment.

There are lights on in the premises this morning but the emergency services personnel have left and the scene is no longer cordoned off.