Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) is reminding people about how quickly thatched roofs can catch fire, following an incident last night that affected two homes.
Fire crews from across Dorset were mobilised to Poxwell, near Weymouth, at 6.43pm last night (22 October) after a kitchen fire in a semi-detached cottage spread to the thatched roof of the property and its neighbour.
At the height of the incident, there were nearly 70 firefighters tackling the blaze, stripping thatch from the roof and salvaging possessions from the two homes.
Station Manager Charlie Pack, who was the incident commander, said: “The fire started in the kitchen of one of the cottages, but quickly spread up into the thatched roof shared by the pair of cottages. As a result, both properties have suffered significant damage and the occupant of one cottage suffered smoke inhalation and had to be taken to hospital.”
A fire investigation is on-going to establish the exact cause of the blaze.
DWFRS offers free Safe & Well advice, and anyone living in a thatched property is reminded that they can request a visit to help make their home as safe as it can be. More information can be found at www.dwfire.org.uk/safe-and-well-visits or call 0800 038 2323.
