FIRE crews were rushed to a property fire near Dorchester last night.

Firefighters from both Dorchester and Beaminster were scrambled to the property near Crossways on Monday night just before 8pm to tackle the blaze and later had to call upon another crew due to the size of the inferno.

A Dorchester Fire Station spokesperson said: “Last night at approximately 19.47 a crew from Dorchester and a crew from Beaminster were called to reports of a property fire in the Warmwell/Crossways area.

“Once in attendance crews requested assistance from a third appliance from Dorchester due to the size and nature of the fire.

“Crews extinguished the fire using four breathing apparatus, one mainline jet and one hose reel jet.

“Fortunately, the damage was limited to one compartment and two adjoining compartments were saved from any fire damage.”

Fire crews then remained on the scene until approximately 23:00.

Firefighters added that the pictures released show ‘why it’s important to close any door, especially at night when you’re asleep’

The spokesperson added: “Whilst there was a lot of fire damage, the smoke damage is also very obvious, smoke (or fire gases) are a silent killer and travels between rooms very quickly.”