Date: 20th May, 2024
We were called at 10:18pm yesterday (19 May) with reports of a thatched property fire in Stoborough Meadow, Wareham.
At the height of the incident, crews were in attendance from Wareham, Poole (x2), Hamworthy, Swanage (x2), Redhill Park, Wimborne and Springbourne, together with a water carrier from Poole, an incident command vehicle from Hamworthy, a support appliance from Poole and the aerial ladder platform from Westbourne – approx. 50 firefighters.
The fire had started in the roof of a semi-detached cottage and quickly spread to the adjoining home. Firefighters worked through the night to contain the fire, which has caused significant damage to both properties.
The incident started to be scaled back after midnight and relief crews attended from Shaftesbury, Christchurch, Blandford, Sturminster Newton and Ferndown, together with a water carrier from Ringwood and the aerial ladder platform from Salisbury.
As at 9am on 20 May, crews were on scene from Bridport, Gillingham and Westbourne. The stop came in at 7.51am, and we had left the scene by noon. Reinspections will be held later today to check for any remaining hotspots.
It is believed the fire started accidentally due to a lightning strike but investigations are on-going. No-one was injured.