A fire broke out at a block of flats this afternoon.

Emergency services, including 35 firefighters from six stations, were called to Alexandra Road in Skilling, near Bridport, shortly after 2pm.

According to Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS), a washing machine had caught fire in the kitchen of a ground floor flat and the property was well-alight.

Firefighters worked to bring the fire under control quickly.

Station manager Sean Blizzard said: “We were in attendance within nine minutes and requested a further four appliances due to excess smoke and fire.

"There is extensive damage to the flat and slight smoke damage to the rest of the property, but we managed to retain it to one flat."

Mr Blizzard says someone was at home at the time of the fire.

"We are urging everyone to make sure they have a working smoke detector," said Mr Blizzard. "Fortunately, he was in the flat at the time, so he could identify the fire."

Two fire crews from Bridport station attended, alongside one from Beaminster, Charmouth, Lyme Regis and Axminster.

Police and firefighters remain at the scene and Alexandra Road is closed in both directions between Princess Road and Skilling Hill Road.

More to follow.