70 firefighters tackle Ringwood blaze (From Thisisdorset)

70 firefighters tackle Ringwood blaze

7:46am Monday 13th February 2012 in Latest By Echo Reporter

More than 70 firefighters tackled a blaze in a house in Hampshire last night.

Residents were taken to safetry as crews from across Hampshire and Dorest were called to the blaze.

An investigation has been launched into the fire which happened in a house in New Street,Ringwood, and spread to two other homes.

Officer in charge, group manager Shaun Rowlatt, said: “On arrival, the initial crews were faced with a roof fire, well alight and were informed that occupants were still in the building.

“The crews immediately mounted both fire-fighting and search and rescue operations. Following a through search of the buildings involved all the occupants were accounted for.

“The fire crews continued to tackle the blaze for several more hours to contain it and prevent further spread along the row of terraces. Firefighters from both counties worked very hard indeed and I am very proud of their efforts.”

Hampshire crews from Burley, Brockenhurst, Beaulieu, Eastleigh, Ringwood, Redbridge, St Mary’s and Totton as well as Ferndown and Verwood in Dorset were all called to the scene Firefighters using 30 breathing apparatus, three jets and four hose reels, worked to tackle the blaze, which broke out at 6.30pm.

The Incident Command Unit and the Fire and Emergency Support Service vehicle were also mobilised to the scene from the Service headquarters at Eastleigh.

The whole of the roof space of the two storey mid terraced propert where the original fire started was severely damaged.

The first floor also suffered extensive water damage.

The roof space of the second property suffered 75 per cent fire damage and there was further water damage to this property on its first floor