A dog was rescued from a burning house on Portland after residents spotted smoke billowing out of the property. Firefighters from Portland, Weymouth, Bridport, Dorchester and Maiden Newton raced to the three-storey house on Reforne in the Easton area after 5pm on Wednesday afternoon (June 14).
While emergency services raced to the scene, residents tried to see if anyone was inside the property. One person went around the back of the house to rescue a dog sheltering from the flames and heat.
Firefighters arrived and started to tackle the blaze and saw the fire overwhelming the ground and first floors of the domestic property. The road was closed to allow firefighters safely extinguish the fire and remove tiles from the roof and also its windows.
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Photos from the scene show the property was gutted by the fire, with a set of heavily damaged stairs. No one was injured in the fire, firefighters added.
A spokeswoman for Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “We received a call at 5.07pm this evening about a property fire at Reforne, Portland. Crews from Portland, Weymouth, Bridport, Dorchester and Maiden Newton attended along with the aerial ladder platform from Weymouth.
“The fire involved the ground and first floors of a three-storey domestic property and was extinguished by four breathing apparatus wearers using hose reel jets, a safety jet and the aerial ladder platform. This was also used to remove roof tiles and search for hotspots.
“Our stop came through at 10.38pm and a reinspection is planned for tomorrow morning.”
Weymouth and Portland Police praised the “quick thinking” of residents who intervened and saved the dog. A spokesman said on Wednesday evening: “Portland NPT were proud to support our DWFRS colleagues this evening, with a significant house fire on Reforne, Portland.
“It took some time to get the fire under control, so credit to the professionalism of the firefighters, who were working in really challenging conditions. The road will remain closed for a while longer, whilst damping down takes place. Sorry for any inconvenience caused.
“Thankfully no one was injured in the fire, but I understand a dog had a very lucky escape, saved by the quick thinking of some locals. Stay safe everyone.”
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