AN ELDERLY man has died following a fire at his remote home near Ringstead.
It is understood the 95-year-old was trapped in the building unable to make his escape. The small fire is under investigation but is not suspicious, police said.
The incident sparked a major operation involving coastguard officers, the search and rescue helicopter, firefighting teams, police and ambulance paramedics.
The property is in a remote location on the coastal path at White Nothe, near Ringstead Bay, close to the communities of Holworth and West Chaldon.
It is one of a number of cottages overlooking the bay. Police and fire crews used vehicles with 4x4 capabilities to access the remote building.
Emergency services were made aware of the fire, just before 12noon after a member of the public called the coastguard reporting a man trapped in his home in an isolated spot.
A Portland Coastguard spokesman said: “We had a report from a member of the public that there was an elderly gentleman trapped in his home in a very isolated place at Ringstead.
“That escalated into the property becoming ablaze.
“The fire service, police and coastguard helicopter were called out.
“Coastguard resources were withdrawn and this is now a police matter.”
A Dorset Police spokesman said: “At 11.57am Dorset Police received a call by HM Coastguard about a property fire at Holworth near Chaldon Herring.
“Dorset Police and Dorset Fire and Rescue Service attended. Unfortunately, an elderly man was found dead at the location. There are no suspicious circumstances and the coroner has been informed.”
Dorset Fire and Rescue Service sent two crews from Weymouth and Dorchester to the scene and were assisted by the coastguard and police.
A spokesman for the fire service described the fire as small and said crews extinguished it using a fire extinguisher.
Ward councillor Teresa Seall, who represents Ringstead on West Dorset District Council, said the tragedy would have an impact on the community.
She said: “This is a real shock and I’m very sorry to hear it.
“It’s a terrible thing to happen.
“My sympathies go out to his friends and family, and the communities of Holworth and Ringstead.
“It is the kind of place where everyone knows everyone else, so this tragedy will really have an impact on the people living around there.
“It is usually such a quiet, gentle way of life.”