Fire at house on Dorchester Road near Lodmoor in Weymouth

Dorchester Road in the Lodmoor area was closed earlier but has now reopened.

Around 20 firefighters tackled the blaze for around 80 minutes this morning.

It is understood two people were taken to hospital although they weren’t seriously hurt.

(Image: Tom Lawrence/Newsquest) Firecrews and police officers are at the scene and an investigation is underway into the cause.

The large property, believed to have been empty for some time, is opposite the Rembrandt Hotel, near the junction with Carlton Road North.

It is understood the fire broke out in the early hours and there were multiple firecrews at the scene earlier this morning with the road closed off. As of 9am the incident has been scaled back with just two crews remaining.

Firefighters and police at the scene (Image: Tom Lawrence)

Residents have said the property has been out of use for some time and there is a planning application in the works to turn it into flats.

Pictures from the scene show the area cordoned off with police tape and a pile of debris outside.

Local resident Brian Willett said: "I got up at 7am and there was already activity there. Part of the road was closed off.

"The building has been semi-derelict for years. A couple of weeks ago somebody started clearing rubbish out - we assume someone with the authority to do so.

"A sign is up there with a planning application to turn it into flats.

"If there was a fire there no-one would be surprised as it has been neglected for some years."

Another resident, Brian Jacobs, said: "I opened the curtains this morning and saw the fire brigade outside. I saw four fire engines and they had closed the road. 

"I've been told it may have happened before 4am."

A spokesperson for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Approximately 20 firefighters from Weymouth, Portland and Dorchester were called to reports of a derelict property on fire in Dorchester Road, Weymouth at 5.40am this morning (September 1).

"Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used two main lines and two hose reels to extinguish the fire. An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway.

"Colleagues from Dorset Police and South West Ambulance Service also attended this incident.

"The stop message, meaning that the incident had been dealt with and no further action was required came in at  7.04am."

Police and one fire crew were still on the scene this afternoon.

Police and a fire crew on the scene at 1pm (Image: Katie Heyes)