FREAK lightning strikes are thought to have caused two separate house fires in Dorset on Sunday.

The first incident occurred at 3pm when fire crews were called to a detached house in Shore Road in Sandbanks.

Firefighters using breathing apparatus dealt with a blaze on the ground floor. The rest of the property was severely smokelogged.

A paramedic living at the house was too upset to speak.

Sub officer Neil Rickett said: "We have been dealing with a property fire which was severe on the ground floor with heavy smoke logging on the first floor and roof. The occupier discovered the fire, left the property and called us.

"An investigation has been launched into what caused the fire but a lightning strike is a possibility."

Meanwhile crews were also called to a property fire in Margards Lane in Verwood but no action was required.

Earlier an area of heathland off Ringwood Road, Ferndown, was set ablaze by the lightning but before firefighters arrived the flames were put out by the heavy rainfall.