Date: 24th June, 2025
We were called to Christchurch Road, Longham at 6.10pm on 20 June for a derelict building well alight.
At the height of the incident, we had eight fire crews on scene, from Redhill Park, Springbourne, Poole, Westbourne, Christchurch (x2), Bere Regis and Blandford, together with the aerial ladder platform from Westbourne and a support unit from Hamworthy – approx. 40 firefighters.
Hose reel jets and main jets were used to tackle the fire, which generated a lot of smoke, so local people were advised to keep doors and windows closed if affected.
10pm update: We started to scale back to three relief crews. The advice to local residents to keep doors & windows closed was rescinded as there was now only a light smell of smoke in the area.
21 June
7am update: The stop came in at 10.22pm last night, with two crews still on scene dealing with hotspots. The fire was extinguished using three main jets, a ground monitor, the aerial ladder platform and ten breathing apparatus wearers.
12noon update: The building, a former golf course clubhouse, has been destroyed by fire; multiple hotspots remain so we are keeping on crew on scene as a watching brief.
4.30pm update: The site was handed back to the owner and we left the scene. An investigation into the cause of the fire will continue in the coming days.
23 June
5pm update: There are still a few hotspots within the debris that are generating smoke. Crews will reinspect the site on a regular basis for the next few days as a precaution.
24 June
The fire is believed to have been started deliberately, and Dorset Police are appealing for witnesses.