West Grimstead fire: All we know so far following major incident

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to a house on Church Street at 3pm following multiple 999 calls.

The thatched roof of a cottage was well alight when the emergency services arrived.

Homeowners Frank and Gwyn Doran, who have lived in their home for 20 years, evacuated the building and sheltered in a neighbour's house during the operation.

There were no reported injuries or casualties.

Read more: Fire service issues statement after seven-hour battle

Gwyn told the Journal that she thought the fire started because of a wood burner and a neighbour alerted her that smoke was coming out of the bottom of her chimney.

She said: "I checked the wood burner, realised something was wrong and put it out. Then I went to have another look and got the fire extinguishers."

Gwyn's neighbours initially climbed on the roof to battle the fire with a hosepipe before the fire service arrived.

Watch: Firefighters tackle the blaze

Multiple crews from Wiltshire and Hampshire mobilised and fought the fire for seven hours.

A spokesperson for DWFRS said: "On arrival, firefighters found a thatched roof well alight, so breathing apparatus wearers gained access to the loft space in order to create a fire break and extinguish the fire.

See more: Icy road conditions lead to multiple bus route closures

"At the height of the incident there were 13 fire engines, two water carriers, an aerial ladder platform and two support units."

Entrance to Church Street (Image: Salisbury Journal)

Crews involved included Salisbury, Wilton and Verwood alongside neighbouring crews from Fordingbridge, Romsey, Lyndhurst, Eastleigh and Redbridge, a water carrier also from Wilton, and an Environmental Protection Unit from Gillingham.

Many of the firefighters who responded were on-call with full-time jobs.

Group manager Jim Weston was the on-scene incident commander, he said: “We’re currently considering the welfare of villagers. They should close doors and windows at this time."

Jim Weston stood in front of the Church Street cordon (Image: Salisbury Journal)

The incident was scaled back at 8pm as firefighters used hose reel jets, main lines and ladders to tackle the blaze externally.

It was put out just before 10pm but crews remained on the scene dampening down until the early hours of the morning.

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Two Wiltshire Police community support officers were on the scene. A spokesperson for the police said: "Firefighters are currently working to extinguish the fire, which is being made more difficult due to the freezing temperatures."

Gwyn expressed gratitude for her neighbours, adding: "We have been inundated with offers of help and support from our neighbours. They also gave cups of tea to the firefighters."

Investigations will take place to determine the cause of the fire.