DORSET Fire and Rescue Service (DFRS) has issued a warning over bonfires and the use of heaters after attending two property fire in west Dorset yesterday.

Just before 8.30pm, firefighters were called to a fire in a property in Pymore in Bridport.

Two appliances from Bridport Fire station attended and found a fire in the chimney area of the house. Firefighters extinguished the fire by using a hose reel jet, and crews also has to cut away through the chimney to get to hotspots.

The fire was caused by a bio-ethanol heater and damage was caused to the fireplace area and the chimney.

An hour later at 9.30pm, the service was called to a property on Charmouth beach after a member of the public reported seeing flames.

One crew from Charmouth attended the incident and on arrival found a bonfire out of control, which had spread to a log pile, two trees and nearby fencing.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze using an extended hose reel jet and also spent some time damping down the area and dismantling the fence, before checking for hot spots.

A spokesman for DFRS has urged members of the public to inform the service if they are having a bonfire, and to never leave a bonfire unattended when it’s alight.

The spokesman added members of the public should take care with heaters such as the one in the property fire in Bridport, and to dispose of it if its condition or function deteriorates.