FIREFIGHTERS are still tackling a fire at a thatched house in Gillingham, over 19 hours after 12 crews were called to the property.

The thatched roof of the house on Langham Lane caught fire at around 2.15 pm yesterday.

60 firefighters were called from stations across Dorset to tackle the blaze.

The fire is understood to have started accidentally in the chimney of the house.

Throughout the night relief crews were sent to take over from crews already on scene.

Four roads in the area were closed yesterday afternoon; Langham Lane, Dry Lane, Tinkers Lane and Moor Lane, now only Langham Lane remainds closed.

No one was injured in the fire.

The house has been severely damaged by the fire.

Over 19 hours later, one crew remains on the scene, dealing with hot spots within the building.

A spokesperson for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue said: "We were called to a detached property in Langham Lane, Gillingham at 2.15pm yesterday  (January 8) after a fire broke out in the thatched roof.

At the height of the incident, we had 12 fire crews in attendance (approx. 60 firefighters), from Gillingham, Wincanton, Shaftesbury (x2), Mere, Sturminster Newton, Tisbury, Salisbury, Sherborne (x2), Castle Cary and Yeovil, together with the aerial ladder platform from Salisbury, water carriers from Yeovil and Wilton, and support appliances from Gillingham, Salisbury and Ferndown.

"Crews worked hard to strip away the thatch and extinguish the fire, which had taken hold within the roof space. The occupants were safely outside when we arrived, and a salvage operation brought their possessions to safety.

"We remained on scene throughout the night, scaling back our attendance to just one crew, who are still dealing with hot spots within the building, and this is likely to continue through the morning. The house has been severely damaged by the fire, which started accidentally in the chimney.

"Langham Lane remains closed, and will stay closed while firefighting continues, although the other lanes have reopened. There are road closed signs in place and we would ask people to still avoid the area."

Wareham Fire Station posted a video of the clear up at the house on X.