Date: 21st April, 2019
Some 50 firefighters were needed to tackle a blaze in a thatched property near Wareham last night (20 April).
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service was called to a house in New Line, Norden at 8.49pm, with the first crew in attendance finding the roof well alight.
Ten fire appliances were mobilised to the scene, from Wareham, Swanage, Poole, Redhill Park, Westbourne, Wimborne (two), Sturminster Newton, Blandford and Springbourne. A water carrier from Poole was also sent.
Thanks go to the Sandbanks ferry for delaying several trips in order to carry fire appliances from the Poole side.
Firefighters worked hard to create a fire break in the thatch, therefore preventing it from spreading further. By 10.45pm, the fire was out and most of the thatch had been stripped away from the roof. Six hose reel jets, two main jets and compressed air foam were used.
As many of the occupants’ possessions as possible were moved to safety in a salvage operation, and there were no injuries. Volunteers from the British Red Cross emergency response team based at Springbourne fire station attended to provide welfare support to the occupants.
Crews had left the scene by 1am – Wareham firefighters are returning there this morning to carry out a reinspection.