FIREFIGHTERS tackled a blaze at a cottage in the grounds of a country home previously destroyed in a huge fire.

The first floor and roof of the Parnham Park cottage were damaged.

Fire fighters from Beaminster, Charmouth, Lyme Regis, Bridport, Crewkerne and Yeovil all attended the blaze which broke out on the morning of Thursday, March 28 at the building near Beaminster.

The fire broke out at a cottage within the grounds of the manor house's estate with crews at the scene able to contain the fire using six breathing apparatus and four hose reels.

An aerial ladder was also used to remove tiles from the roof before handing the scene over to Weymouth and Wimborne fire stations.

A spokesperson for Charmouth Fire Station said: "At 11.15am we mobilised to a cottage on fire in the grounds of a manor house along with Beaminster Fire Station Lyme Regis Fire Station Bridport Fire Station Crewkerne Fire Station and Yeovil Fire Station.

"Seven pumps attended this incident along with an aerial ladder platform. Thankfully the fire was swiftly brought under control and the incident was scaled back.

"At 3.30pm we handed over to a two pump relief from Weymouth Fire Station and Wimborne Fire Station before returning to station.

The country house itself was destroyed by a catastrophic fire in April 2017 and took four days to fully extinguish.

Previous owner Michael Treichl was arrested on suspicion of arson but was found dead two months later.

Since 2020, it has been undergoing restoration by its new owners James and Sophie Perkins.

Working with James and Sophie on the restoration of Parnham is the world-renowned architect Thomas Heatherwick, alongside Historic England, Dorset Council and a team consultants and craftsmen from the west country.

As reported, Beaminster Town Council has thrown its support behind the owners and the work they're doing to restore the Grade II-listed house and estate. 

A high-end holiday home has been approved for the estate – with Dorset Councillors going against an officer recommendation to refuse it.

At a meeting of Dorset Council's Western and Southern Planning Committee, councillors argued the level of ‘harm’ the officer raised as a potential problem would only be minimal.