Residents have been evacuated from a block of flats in Weymouth after a fire broke out on the top floor during the early hours of Sunday morning.
Crews were called to Keel House on Dorchester Road at 00:38 BST after a blaze on the top floor spread into the roof space, prompting a major emergency response.
Dorchester and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service sent eight appliances to the incident at its height, including a support unit and an aerial ladder platform (ALP), as firefighters worked to bring the fire under control.
The scale of the response reflects the seriousness of the incident, with crews having to tackle the fire both within the building and in the roof space.
Residents were evacuated from the block while firefighters dealt with the blaze and assessed the situation.
By around 10:00 BST, the fire service said three appliances and an aerial ladder platform remained at the scene. Road closures were still in place and members of the public were advised to avoid the area.
The incident caused disruption on Dorchester Road as emergency crews continued operations at the building.
At this stage, the fire service has not provided further details about the cause of the blaze or whether anyone was injured. It is also not yet clear when evacuated residents will be able to return to their homes.
The incident serves as another reminder of the potentially rapid spread of fire in residential buildings, particularly when flames reach roof spaces where they can travel quickly and be difficult for firefighters to access.
Further updates are expected as firefighters complete their work and the circumstances surrounding the fire are established.
