A man has been charged with causing a fire at a care home in which seven elderly residents were hospitalised.

Timothy Bixley, 38, of no fixed address, appears in custody at Croydon Magistrates Court on 18 August charged with arson with intent to endanger life at Guiness Court, two other counts of arson in Clyde Road and two more counts of arson in Lansdowne Road, Croydon all on August 16.

Police officers on patrol in Croydon became aware of a fire at Guinness Court, Chepstow Road, Croydon at 1am.

The sheltered accommodation for the elderly was evacuated and seven people were taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation and related injuries.

A 72 year old woman remains there today in a stable condition.

The remaining residents have been rehoused by the local authority.

Detectives linked a further two other incidents of a wheelie bin and a vehicle were on fire in Clyde Road and two two skips which were on fire in Lansdown Road, Croydon.