A FIRE tore through a bungalow, destroying a pensioner’s home.

The 72-year-old woman was rescued by neighbours when the fire engulfed her home in Butts Lane, Winfrith Newburgh yesterday.

Two neighbours kicked down the woman’s fence and grabbed her from the garden and then returned to rescue her three dogs.

She was treated by paramedics at the scene and later comforted by police.

The woman, whose face was blackened by the smoke, was seen to be in tears.

Up to 30 firefighters were alerted to the blaze at 2pm which gutted the semi-detached bungalow and partially damaged the neighbouring property.

Neighbours of the woman who has not been named, rallied round to support her.

The woman’s friend, Sue Clarke, thought it was a chimney fire when she saw smoke until she heard people shouting and realised it was more serious.

She said: “I went outside and saw no smoke coming out of the chimney so I went to the end of my garden and I saw the flames coming out from the side of the bungalow.

“I couldn’t believe it.”

A neighbour, who didn’t want to be named, was returning from work on his dinner break when he rushed to help the woman.

He said: “My initial reaction was to go and help and I think a lot of people did because all the neighbours came out.

“Me and another gentleman got the lady out because she was stuck in the back garden.

“The house was on fire so we couldn’t get her out of the front of the bungalow so we had to break down the back fence so we could get in.

“We carried her out.

“Some neighbours stayed with her to calm her down and then me and the other guy went to the back garden to get her three dogs.”

Firefighters from Bere Regis and Wareham rushed to the scene before requesting support.

At the height of the blaze, fire engines from Hamworthy, Dorchester and Weymouth were also at the scene.

The Red Cross Fire and Emergency Support vehicle was also requested to attend.

A Dorset Fire and Rescue investigation team attended the scene at around 7pm last night.

A spokesman said: “At this time we do not know what caused this fire.

“Nobody has been injured in this incident, although an elderly female was treated by the ambulance service.”

Alarm warning

Fire Investigation Officer, Group Manager Alun Morgan said: “We believe neighbours were alerted to this fire after seeing smoke coming from the windows of the bungalow.

“Had there been a working smoke alarm in the property this would have given an early warning to the occupier and neighbours.

“We urge all householders in Dorset to have a working smoke alarm on all levels of their home, and ensure they are tested weekly. We also remind all Dorset residents to have and practice an escape plan.”