Date: 24th June, 2026
Time: 6.24pm
Description: A crew from Blandford fire station was making an emergency response to a road traffic collision at 6.24pm last night (24 June) when a fire started in the fire engine while they were travelling on the A350 at Charlton Marshall. The crew was able to stop safely, and no-one was injured. Crews from Wimborne and Sturminster Newton were mobilised to deal with the fire, and two breathing apparatus wearers and three hose reel jets were used. Local residents would have heard explosions, which were the vehicle’s tyres and also cylinders on board, including breathing apparatus sets. An investigation into how the fire started is now underway.
8.30pm update: The stop came in at 8.22pm, the vehicle cab has been destroyed by fire and there was damage to the adjacent grass verge and telegraph cables. The firefighters involved have been checked over as a precaution by paramedics, with no issues. The road will remain closed for some time to allow for vehicle recovery; the carriageway may need repairs, so drivers should check their route before setting off in the morning.
Location: Charlton Marshall, Blandford Forum, UK