Thatched roof fire in Holt near Wimborne in Dorset

Emergency services were called to Holt Lane in the village of Holt, near Wimborne, shortly before 6pm on Friday evening to deal with a fire in the roof of a thatched property.

Seven engines were initially sent but that number increased to 12.

Locals were advised to keep their windows and doors closed as firefighters continued to battle the blaze.

Picture: Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service 

At around 7.30pm on Friday, a spokesman for the fire service said 10 fire engines were at the scene plus specialist vehicles. Crews had cut fire breaks in the thatch and were working to extinguish the fire.

They were also working to salvage belongings from the property.

In a further update at 8.30pm, the total number of engines had increased to 12 - around 60 firefighters. 

Picture: Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service 

A Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said 'good progress' was being made in bringing the fire under control but its crews would remain on site for some time. 

At 5.58pm we received a call to a property with a thatched roof fire, initially 7 pumps, 1 aerial, 1 water carrier were mobilised. We are still in attendance and the incident has now progressed to 12 pumps in attendance. We will give a further update when available.

— DWFireControl (@DWFireControl)The road remains closed this morning while one crew remains at the scene to dampen down the site. 

Speaking on Saturday morning, the spokesman said: "Firefighters remained at this incident overnight.

"They worked hard and were able to save the majority of the householders possessions.

"No one has been injured."

One crew remains at the scene danping down the site this morning. The road is still closed.