A group of residents who were forced out of their homes following a huge fire at a care complex have been able to return in time for Christmas.

Last month flames engulfed Lonsdale Court, in the Pategill area of Penrith, following a loud bang on the morning of November 12.

The massive blaze forced around 30 residents to be evacuated from the premises and taken to safety in the town's leisure centre while firefighters tried to make the area safe.

Sadly, the fire also claimed the life of an elderly resident. Gordon Frederick Tallentire, 74, died after sustaining injuries during the fire and an inquest into his death is currently open.

In the immediate aftermath of the fire many of the residents had to be placed in alternative accommodation while the safety of what remained of Lonsdale Court was investigated.

At the time the residents faced huge uncertainty as to how long it would take for them to return to their homes in Lonsdale Court.

But in a statement provided to the News & Star by Housing & Care 21, the owners of the complex, the company says some residents are now back home.

A spokesman said: “Residents of 16 of the flats at Lonsdale Court have been able to move back in.

"The occupants of the other flats have been moved into other sheltered housing schemes or residential care, depending on their needs.

"We are keeping these arrangements under review and there are plans to move two residents on from residential care to extra care properties, where they can live more independently with appropriate support, as at Lonsdale Court, in the next few weeks.

"The two damaged flats have now been demolished and the site made watertight. We are working with our contractors to plan the repairs and want to get back to normal as soon as possible, but we can’t say yet when the work will be complete.

"We would like to once again say thank you to the local community for all the support and kindness we have been shown."

The kindness shown by locals received much praise from the raft of emergency services who were dispatched to the scene and Eden Council, who coordinated the effort in the leisure centre.

The temporary reception centre at Penrith Leisure Centre was inundated with donations of clothes and toiletries with gifts coming in so quickly the need was filled within hours.

Superintendent Justin Bibby hailed the community response as "tremendous”.