Dozens of firefighters battled a blaze that broke out in a block of flats.

Around 30 firefighters rushed to the scene at Mills Road, Osmington Mills.

A spokesman for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue service (DWFRS) said that, luckily, no one was reported to be in the building when the fire broke out - but the blaze caused extensive damage.

Water was used from a nearby holiday park to help quench the flames.

Firefighters have been praised for their swift response to the incident by local councillors.

The cause of the fire is believed to be accidental, but with the building currently too unstable for anyone to enter, it has not been established exactly how it began.

Investigations are continuing and firefighters are expected to return to the scene tomorrow.

The DWFRS spokesman said the fire happened on Tuesday in a building containing an office on the ground floor, with first floor flats.

Crews from Bridport, Dorchester, Weymouth, Bere Regis, Poole, Portland and Maiden Newton were called out to the incident, with further relief crews called to help colleagues after the first hour, and provide assistance into the evening.

A spokesman for Bridport Fire Station said they were on their way to provide standby duties at Dorchester Fire Station when they were diverted to help with the incident at Osmington Mills.

Breathing apparatus, hose reel jets and main lines were used to bring the fire under control, whilst other crews attempted to remove items such as computers and furniture from the property.

Due to the extent of the damage caused by the fire, the property was deemed unsafe to enter, so an aerial ladder platform (ALP) from Westbourne was brought in to continue with the rest of the main fire fighting.

The incident was then scaled back to a few pumping appliances and the ALP. Crews from Weymouth returned to the scene for an inspection yesterday morning.

The spokesman said: “We were called at just after 3pm on Tuesday and approximately 30 firefighters were in attendance at the height of the incident.

“The fire was in flats on the first floor, which is over an office. No one was reported to be in the building at the time and no one was injured.

The stop message was received at just after 5pm.”

He added: Due to the building being unstable, the fire investigations officer will not be able to do an inspection until at least Friday. The fire is believed to be accidental but we cannot determine the exact cause until the investigation has concluded.”

Cllr Nigel Bundy, who represents Osmington Mills and the surrounding area on West Dorset District Council, praised the fire service for their efforts.

He added: “I would like to commend all the emergency services for all the work they did and how speedily they responded to this incident.”