FIREFIGHTERS from Bridport helped tackle a large barn fire in a village into the early hours of this morning – with residents advised to keep their windows and doors closed.

Fire crews from Swanage Fire Station and Wareham Fire Station were initially called to a blaze off Wilkswood Farm Road in Knitson, near Swanage at around 2.30pm yesterday afternoon (July 5).

The barn contained large sums of hay bales as the fire quickly spread through the building.

Firefighters said the levels of smoke were ‘a cause for some concern’ and advised people living in nearby Corfe Castle and Harmans Cross to keep their windows and doors shut.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: Firefighters from across Dorset were called to help extinguish a barn fire that contained hay bales. Picture: Wareham Fire StationFirefighters from across Dorset were called to help extinguish a barn fire that contained hay bales. Picture: Wareham Fire Station

Crews from Bridport Fire Station and later Bere Regis Fire Station were also called to assist to help extinguish a large barn fire and dampen down hay bales.

A spokesman for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue said on Monday evening: “The incident in Corfe Castle is still ongoing and the levels of smoke are now a cause for some concern.

“Residents of Corfe Castle and Harmans Cross are advised to keep windows and doors closed. Please take care when travelling in the area.”

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: Firefighters from across Dorset were called to help extinguish a barn fire which contained hay bales. Picture: Swanage Fire StationFirefighters from across Dorset were called to help extinguish a barn fire which contained hay bales. Picture: Swanage Fire Station

Firefighters were at the scene until the early hours of Tuesday (July 6) as hay bales were moved away from the building.

A spokesman for Bere Regis Fire Station said: “We were called out to an ongoing incident at 10.15pm, we are currently still on scene dampening down and putting out flare ups, this has been going all day and we relieved other crews who were on scene.

“We expect to be here until approximately 3am where relief crews will come.”

  • Did you see what happened? Were you in the area and have you been affected? Do you have any photos or video to share? Email me at michael.taylor@newsquest.co.uk

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: Firefighters from across Dorset were called to help extinguish a barn fire which contained hay bales. Picture: Wareham Fire StationFirefighters from across Dorset were called to help extinguish a barn fire which contained hay bales. Picture: Wareham Fire Station