Date: 29th August, 2025
Time: 6.43pm
Description: We were called at 6.43pm today (29 August) to Copper Street, Dorchester to reports of a flat fire. Crews from Dorchester (x2), Weymouth (x2), Bridport (x2) and Wareham along with a crew and the aerial ladder platform from Yeovil (Devon & Somerset FRS) are currently in attendance. Six breathing apparatus wearers are using main lines and hose reel jets to extinguish. The surrounding properties have been evacuated as a precaution.
8.45pm update: 13 appliances are now in attendance with additional crews from Blandford, Bere Regis, Beaminster, Maiden Newton and Martock (Devon & Somerset FRS) along with the command unit from Hamworthy and a support vehicle from Dorchester.
10.30pm update: Firefighters have worked hard to contain the fire. Eight appliances remain on scene with relief crews mobilised from Portland, Lyme Regis and Shaftesbury.
Saturday 30 August, 6.45am update: At approx 11pm last night, the incident was scaled back to the relief three appliances and an aerial ladder platform from Salisbury. Four breathing apparatus used two main lines, three hose reel jets and small tools to extinguish. Our stop came in at 1.39am today (30 August). The incident was handed over to the building manager and a reinspection is due later today.
9am update: The fire started on the balcony of the second floor and has affected four floors in total. The cause is believed to be accidental. We continue to work with the local authority structural engineers and British Red Cross who are helping to support residents and firefighters at the scene. No casualties have been reported.
Tuesday 2 September update: Following the fire at Brewery Square, Dorchester on Friday (29 August), our fire safety team has been working with the development management company and local authority partners to understand what happened. We know that local residents may have concerns following the fire, and we are in the process of gathering information about the building and its construction. Once this work is complete, we will take appropriate action where it is required.
Location: Brewery Square, Copper Street, Dorchester, UK