A chip pan fire has badly damaged a house near Fortuneswell on Portland.

Firefighters were called to a blaze at a home in Vindelis Way yesterday afternoon (30).

A spokesman for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue said: "We were called at 3.44pm to a fire at a domestic property which was four metres by five metres.

"There was a report that the domestic smoke alarms were also sounding and on arrival fire crews found the property to be well alight."

Firefighters found a fire in the property's kitchen which involved a chip pan.

Teams used four sets of breathing apparatus and a hose reel jet to tackle the blaze.

Fortunately the home owner was out at the time of the fire and everyone was accounted for.

The spokesman added a fire investigations officer was initially requested to look at how the fire may have started but after the home owner returned he was stood down.

The damage to the building is thought to be extensive.

An eye witness said they had seen smoke coming from a flat block.

Police officers were also on scene at assist firefighters.

Crews remained at the scene to damp down the area and are expected to be there for several hours.