Drama unfolded on a Bridport street when residents were evacuated and a woman was rescued from a house fire.

Firefighters from Bridport and Beaminster raced to a home on Orchard Crescent and found the blaze had started when something was left on the hob in the kitchen on the ground floor. 

A resident was brought to safety from upstairs and was treated by paramedics for smoke inhalation before being taken to Dorset County Hospital.

Neighbours heard sirens and saw fire engines, police and later an ambulance arrive at the scene on Tuesday afternoon. 

A resident of Orchard Crescent, who had to evacuate their home, said: "When I got here there were fire engines and a lot of police.

"I had to evacuate the house with my parrot at one point because we thought it may have been my house. My house was getting smoky.

"There have been police there (on the property) since it happened."

Another resident said: "All I saw was the fire engines and police out there but I have got no idea what it was. I did see a bit of smoke coming out of the door. When you see police and fire you do wonder what's was going on but it all seemed to be under control."

A fellow Orchard Crescent resident said: "All we know is that several fire engines came, then police and then an ambulance. They kept the lights on but turned off the sirens. I suppose this kind of thing (kitchen fire) can happen to anyone really, I am just glad to hear that no one was seriously hurt."

Dorset Echo:

Dorset Police said a woman was detained in connection to the incident and is now in the care of health services.

A spokesperson the force said: "We received a report from the fire service of a fire at an address in Orchard Crescent in Bridport.

"There were reports of a woman inside the property; she was taken to a place of safety by firefighters once the fire had been put out.

"A woman was detained in connection with the incident and is now in the care of the health services."

A spokesperson for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue said: "Two crews from Bridport and one from Beaminster attended, and four breathing apparatus wearers used two hose reel jets to extinguish the fire, which started after something was left on the hob.

"The occupant was brought to safety from an upstairs room by firefighters, who gave oxygen therapy before paramedics arrived to take over patient care."