Thatched Dorset home destroyed by blaze as more than 50 firefighters attend

The roof and first floor of the building - thought to be owned by the National Trust - were totally destroyed in the fire yesterday afternoon.

There is also severe damage to the ground floor of the property in Cowgrove Road, Pamphill, Wimborne.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue were alerted at 2.10pm.

Fire in Holly Farm, Cowgove Road. Photo: Anthony Oliver MBE

A spokesman said: "Crews from Wimborne, Poole, Redhill, Ferndown, Westbourne and Blandford attended and on arrival found the thatch roof well alight.

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"Four main lines and three hose reel jets were used to extinguish the fire as well as ladders and equipment for stripping away which involved a two storey building measuring 30m x 10m. No casualties have been reported.

The incident was scaled back last night but three fire engines remained at the scene for dampening down.

Fire in Holly Farm, Cowgove Road. Photo: Anthony Oliver MBE

Former Wimborne mayor Anthony Oliver MBE was at the scene.

He said: "We live right in the centre of Wimborne and when we saw all the fire engines going past I thought 'this must be a thatched cottage fire" and I was right. It was so sad and it's just so tragic to see such a scene.

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"I believe the building is owned by the National Trust with farmers living in the house.

"When I was at the scene one of the local farmers said to me that they don't suppose there will be anything left, it's very tragic.

"It is a tragic sadness to see a house go up in flames. My sympathies go out to all those involved."