A COUPLE jumped for their lives from a first-floor window as fire ripped through their home yesterday.

The incident at Charlton Marshall led to one of Dorset’s arterial routes, the A350, being closed for much of the day.

Around 45 firefighters were called to the large house – which did not have working smoke alarms – at 12.20am.

The man and woman were stranded in their first floor bedroom and were forced to leap to the garden to escape the 40-ft high flames, which destroyed the house.

Fire crews remained on scene as daylight broke, with the A350 shut until surveyors could make sure the building was safe.

The couple were treated in hospital for burns, smoke inhalation and injuries sustained when they jumped.

Incident commander Louis Minchella said: “By the time the first crew arrived, they immediately began casualty care of the occupants and established that there was no-one else inside.

“Shortly afterwards, the other crews arrived and began defensive firefighting from the outside of the property, since the flames were at least 30-40 feet high at this point, so it was impossible to go inside.”

The electricity board, building control and water company were also on scene, opposite the former Subaru garage, and some homes nearby were left without electricity when the supply was turned off.

Mr Minchella added: “We know that they did have smoke alarms but they were not working or tested, which is like having a useless bit of plastic tacked to your ceiling.

“If they had been working, they would have had a much earlier warning signal and would not have lost their home and contents and had to suffer what has happened.

“We are of course pleased they made it out alive – it was a very close call.”

The cause was due to be investigated once it was safe to enter, but is not thought to be suspicious.