A MALFUNCTIONING electrical pole led to a blaze just yards from a thatched cottage this morning.

The B3347 southbound was shut after a pile of wood was set ablaze on a property between the Avon Causeway, Court Farm Lane and Derritt Lane, Sopley.

The fire spread to a single-storey garage.

Motorists travelling between Ringwood and Christchurch were affected, with reports of slow-moving traffic in the area.

Neighbour Rob Ludford said he was woken at around 6am by a strange sound.

“It was a bit like fireworks going off at the top of the electricity pole,” he said.

“I thought, its a strange time to have a party.

“The emergency services were brilliant, they got here very quickly and got a handle on it.

"The lady in the thatched cottage, which burned down a few years ago, was making them all tea. A bit of community spirit.”

The nearby thatched cottage was severely damaged in a blaze back in February 2015, which was deemed to have been caused by either an electrical fault or due to heat from the chimney.

Graham Kewley, Westbourne fire station manager, said: "At 6.17am fire control were informed of a fire involving an electrical pole in Sopley village.

"Immediately mobilised two appliances from Christchurch. On arrival they found the pole was well alight and 

"Additional resources were requested including two further appliances and the water carrier.

"A local road closure was put in place while crews dealt with the fire.

"We worked with the SSE electrical board and local authority to deal with the incident.

"We anticipate Derritt Lane to be closed for a short period today while the electricity company deal with the pole replacement.

"Crews worked hard to prevent the fire from spreading to adjoining buildings in the area."

A spokesman from the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "We were called at 6.17am to a fire involving a pile of wood.

"The fire was quite close to some cylinders and overhead cabling.

"It also spread to a garage."