Three people hospitalised, dozens of residents evacuated as fire breaks out at Melbourne aged care home

Dozens of elderly residents were evacuated when a fire broke out at a care home in Melbourne's south-east.

Multiple emergency services rushed to the aged care facility in Elsternwick after a large blaze broke out just before 10pm yesterday.

A nurse and two residents were taken to hospital with smoke inhalation.

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Witnesses said they saw streams of people coming out of the facility, and that staff had to lay some residents with mobility issues on mattresses on the ground.

"They were conscious but pretty distressed", Asher Callwell-Browne said.

"It was pretty crazy."

Neighbours also helped care for the residents.

Roshana Care Group said the home will close while authorities and contractors complete safety assessments and remediation planning.

"Roshana Care Group confirm that a fire occurred last night at Graceland Manor after an incident involving an exhaust vent, affecting the upper-floor roof area."

"All residents and staff were safely evacuated from the facility, and there have been no reported injuries.

"In total, 33 residents have been temporarily relocated to alternative aged care facilities and other suitable accommodation to ensure their safety and continuity of care."

Crews evacuated the residents to a nearby park, with some transported in wheelchairs by staff and emergency services.

Peter Quinn from Fire Rescue Victoria praised the work of staff in quickly and safely evacuating the residents, and said the cause of the fire had already been determined.

"They found the cause of the fire to be a faulty or seized fan motor," he said.

"We're very lucky that this premises had a fire indicator panel that gave us early warning for the fire."

A family member of one of the residents taken to hospital has told 9News they are recovering.

Firefighters have said the damage is extensive, and residents can't return.

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