ALMOST 100 firefighters spent five hours tackling a blaze after the roofs of two thatched cottages went up in flames.

The drama happened at the small village of Godwinscroft, between Christchurch and Bransgore, on Saturday just before 8.30pm.

The fire damaged the upper floor of both the semi-detached homes in Lyndhurst Road with water and smoke seeping into the ground floor of the properties.

An eyewitness, who did not wish to be named, said: "The fire was very spectacular. By the time the firefighters got there the roofs were well alight.

"I didn't see anyone come out of the houses and I don't think there was anyone in there."

Fifteen fire engines attended and an aerial ladder platform was used. Police and ambulance were also called but it is not believed anyone was injured.

A police spokeswoman said: "We were called at 8.40pm and were told by 11.01pm there was nothing suspicious and it was possibly a chimney fire."

The road was closed from the Ringwood Road junction with Harrow Road and the Lyndhurst Road junction with West Lodge while the flames were put out.

The blaze started in the roof of one cottage and spread. Firefighters were still at the cottages yesterday morning investigating the cause of the fire.