Community reacts to house fire in Southdown Road Weymouth

It is understood they administered first aid to a person who was injured in the fire and was later airlifted to hospital in Salisbury where there is a specialist burns unit.

The fire prompted a major emergency response as large numbers of firefighters, police officers and paramedics rushed to Southdown Road off Buxton Road at around 10.50am yesterday.

The fire service - which is investigating the cause together with the police  - said crews found a 'well developed' fire inside the property. Police don't believe the fire is suspicious.

A number of people tried to help at the scene before the arrival of rescuers.

The charity Weldmar said two of its staff from the team which visits people in their homes, were in the area at the time the fire broke out.

"We're extremely proud of Emma and Mel from our Weldmar at Home team," a spokesperson said.

"They were in the vicinity of this house fire when it started, and helped to provide first aid and support.

“We're sending our thoughts to all involved in this terrible incident.”

Police at Southdown Road (Image: Alfie Lumb)

A woman who lives nearby said she saw members of the public rushing to help.

She said: “My neighbour across the road let me know that there was a house on fire. 

“It’s shocking and harrowing to see. I contacted a paramedic who lives close to us, and some ladies from Weldmar went to get wet towels.

“Everyone did what they could to pull together - I’ve seen people I never saw before on this street helping out.”

Police off Buxton Road (Image: Alfie Lumb) Speaking at the time of the incident a resident of Southdown Road said: “I saw the helicopter and the three fire engines and the area has been cordoned off.

"The police told me that it will be blocked for several hours. A fireman confirmed to me that it was a house fire. 

“I just didn’t want anyone to get hurt.”

Another neighbour said that smoke was 'pouring out' of the property. 

A nearby neighbour said: “It’s awful. I don’t know what happened - it was a shock as I came home and my daughter and I thought our house was on fire because of all the smoke.”

A spokesperson for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service said: "We were called to an incident at 10.51am at Southdown Road, Weymouth to reports of a property fire.

A fire engine down Southdown Road (Image: Alfie Lumb) "Crews from Weymouth, Dorchester and Portland attended, and on arrival found a well-developed fire within the property.

"Eight breathing apparatus wearers used two hose reel jets and one main jet to extinguish the fire. Technical rescue equipment was used to stabilise the building."

Ambulance and police car on Buxton Road (Image: Alfie Lumb) A spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance Service said: “We were called at 10.52am to an incident in Weymouth. We sent two double-crewed ambulances, two air ambulances, an operations officer, and a tactical commander and to the scene.”

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: “We received a report of a fire at an address in Southdown Road in Weymouth.

"Officers were in attendance with the fire and ambulance services.

"Road closures were put in place to allow emergency services to safely deal with the incident.

"Enquiries are being carried out to establish the cause of the fire, which is not currently believed to be suspicious."