Residents were shocked by loud explosions from an agricultural vehicle that had caught fire whilst on the road.

Fire crews from Bere Regis and Dorchester were called to extinguish a telehandler blaze on Warmwell Road, Crossways at 8.37pm.

Residents could hear 'three loud explosions' each a few minutes apart which one resident likened to a tank firing, and a plume of black smoke.

Resident Dustin Barnes and his partner Gemma were startled by the noise, which shook their house.

Mr Barnes said: "We were watching telly and there was a bang, we thought someone had driven into the side of a parked car. We heard another one so we got up. Gemma got to the door and there was the most horrific bang which shook the house.

"We thought they were proper explosions. It was so horrifically loud."

Dustin Barnes was watching TV when he heard the bangsDustin Barnes was watching TV when he heard the bangs (Image: NQ)

Another resident, Catherine Rogers, said: "I was around the corner in Coombe Way. We heard the bang and we wondered what it was. I think it was the tyres that exploded.

"It must have been terrible."

A telehandler is an agricultural or industrial vehicle used for carrying and placing heavy materials. It is not dissimilar to a forklift but with an extendable arm.

As of writing, the area where the fire happened is blackened and coned off. Burns can be seen from where the blaze climbed the foliage.

The foliage next to the telehandler was also ablazeThe foliage next to the telehandler was also ablaze (Image: UGC)

The explosion was heard across the villageThe explosion was heard across the village (Image: UGC)

One resident who did not wish to be named said: "I saw the flames and thought there had been a crash. The third one was a hell of a bang. It wasn't until we heard them that people started to come out and see what it was,

"I was shocked, especially at that time of night."

Another resident said: "I just heard banging outside the house and wondered what was going on. It was extremely loud, like a tank going off.

"It made the houses shake, that is how loud it was."

(Image: UGC)

A spokesperson for Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue said: "We were called to Warmwell Road, Crossways at 8.37pm last night (August 18) where a telehandler had caught alight on the road.

"Two crews attended, from Dorchester and Bere Regis, and two breathing apparatus wearers used two hose reel jets to extinguish the fire, which caused severe damage to the machine."

The stop message, meaning that the incident is under control and no further resources are needed, was given at 9.31pm.

Two fire engines were sent to the incidentTwo fire engines were sent to the incident (Image: UGC)