A PERSON has suffered burns and smoke inhalation after a large fire which also saw a dog saved.

The fire broke out in the kitchen of a house in Litton Cheney, causing extensive damage.

Homeowner Bella Spurrier has offered heartfelt thanks to rescuers who saved her dog from the building on Thursday, as well as her manager Graham Fisher who 'practically put the fire out with his hands.'

Mrs Spurrier said: “The fire service was brilliant and arrived quickly. The dog was upstairs, hiding under the bed.”

Large damage has been caused to the kitchen but Mrs Spurrier said that, due to having a working alarm, they were alerted to the fire quickly and it so it didn't spread.

“It was confined to one room but smoke also does terrible damage," she said. “We would like to thank the fire service - they were brilliant.”

Residents reported seeing the emergency services by the house in the village.

Neighbour Gordon Anderson said: “I saw them stopped up there at the top - there were two fire engines - and police closed the road off.

“The road was closed for about two-and-a-half hours but I don’t know much about the fire or how it started.”

Another neighbour reported seeing fire engines and the police around 3.10pm which left around 5pm.

He said: “I didn’t see any smoke at all, the first I knew about was when we heard the fire engine coming.

“I know a fire engine came from Bridport."

Two fire engines attended the scene, one crew from Bridport and once from Dorchester.

A spokesperson for Bridport Fire Station said: “On arrival, firefighters got to work extinguishing the blaze and removing burning debris from the house, using two breathing apparatus and one hose reel jet.

"One resident suffered burns to their hands and smoke inhalation, so casualty carers treated their burns and administered oxygen until the ambulance service arrived. They were then transported to hospital for further treatment.

"A dog was also rescued from the property after it was found hiding upstairs away from the smoke.

"Once the fire was out, Positive Pressure Ventilation (PPV) was used to clear the smoke from the property. PPV is achieved by placing a high powered fan outside and aiming into the property. The smoke is then exhausted from a strategically opened window or door.

"Investigation continues into the cause of the fire.

"Apologies to any drivers affected whilst we were blocking the road. And we wish the resident a speedy recovery."