A FIRE-damaged historic thatched cottage at Poxwell is to be re-built.
Dorset Council has approved a like-for-like planning application for the Grade-II listed building.
Photographs with the application show the full extent of the disastrous blaze with part of the roof collapsed, the lounge, kitchen and two bedrooms almost destroyed and the bathroom, in a rear extension to the original building, still standing although smoke and water damaged. Both the roof timbers and the thatched roofs were destroyed by the fire.
Once completed agents for the owner say the semi-detached Honeysuckle Cottage should look much as it did before the fire on October 22 last year.
Specialists’ contractors will be brought in to carry out the work.
“It is the intention to restore the property back to its pre-loss condition on a like-for-like basis wherever possible and practical, to preserve the historic or replicate the original materials,” said a statement from agents Smithers Purslow.
The building dates to 1843 and is within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is thought to have once been linked to nearby Poxwell House, once part of the Cerne Abbey Estate.
* As reported in the Echo last year, a grandfather was taken to hospital after the property went up in flames. The family thanked the community for their 'overwhelming' outpouring of support and donations.
The fire was spotted by a holidaymaker, Damian Crawford, who ran towards the burning cottage to evacuate the occupants.
READ MORE: Holidaymaker ran towards burning cottage to evacuate people as fire overwhelmed home
In total, 65 firefighters were involved in tackling the blaze, and worked through the night to extinguish it and make the property safe.
The A353 between Warmwell Cross Roundabout and Osmington Mills was closed as emergency services attended the scene.
Speaking at the time, a spokesman for Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "A 999 call was received at 6.43pm with reports of a kitchen fire in one of a pair of semi-detached cottages, which was spreading to the thatched roof.
"As at 8.15pm, there were 13 fire crews and approximately 65 firefighters on scene – from Weymouth (two), Wareham, Bere Regis, Portland (two), Dorchester, Hamworthy, Poole (two), Beaminster, Bridport and Westbourne – together with an aerial ladder platform from Westbourne, a water carrier from Poole, and support units from Hamworthy and Poole.
READ MORE: 'Overwhelming' support for Dorset grandfather who lost home and belongings in thatched cottage fire
"Crews are currently tackling the fire to try and contain it, while also salvaging possessions from the affected homes. All occupants are accounted for. One person was taken to hospital with smoke inhalation."
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