FIRECREWS from Charmouth and Axminster were called to a tractor alight in Marshwood this lunchtime. (29th)

They needed four sets of breathing apparatus to tackle the fire after the call came through at 1.16pm. They had the fire under control by 1.48pm.

Eyewitness Justin Baldwin, who took these pictures, said he heard two loud booms and saw the smoke.

He said: "The telehandler was at the end of my drive. I heard a couple of explosions which were unusually deep and loud which were obviously the tyres exploding.

"The driver was around the corner but I wasn't brave enough to go and see. Because it was on fire I didn't want to get too close.

"I thought at first the electricity sub station had gone up and went up to the top of my drive and to my amazement saw this."

A spokesman for the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service said there were no reports of any casualties and police attended for traffic control.

The fire was close to Marshwood School but school administrator Brigid Hillier said no one was in any danger.

She said: "It was close enough for us to see but not close enough to be dangerous.

"Even the smoke was blowing away from us and I don't think anyone was hurt.

"None of the children were in any danger."