AROUND 40 firefighters tackled a blaze at a manor house in East Parley this afternoon.

Emergency services were called to reports of a fire on the ground and first floors of Parley Manor at 2.58pm.

A spokesperson for Dorset Fire and Rescue Service said eight crews were sent to the scene, using six sets of breathing apparatus as they extinguished the flames with two hose reels jets and compressed air foam.

She added that the fire was out by around 3.30pm and the property will now need to ventilated. 

Firefighters were called to the property after the owner's daughter raised the alarm.

The blaze is thought to have caused tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage to the building.

Trelawney Dampney, who owns the house, said the fire broke out in the dining room of the family's home.

He said: "My daughter Zara was inside there was someone working in there. They raised the alarm."

The father-of-three, who was born in the property, said the blaze caused extensive damage to the dining room and minor damage to an upstairs bedroom.

"It's tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage, if not £100,000," he said.

He added: "The fire service was brilliant. They were here in four minutes. They extinguished the blaze within five to ten minutes and mainly confined it to the dining room and the hallways."

The 58-year-old said the fire has not affected any areas where weddings are held at the house and said the property would be "perfect" once again before the wedding season starts in April.

Tim Spring, area commander for Dorset and Poole, said around 40 firefighters attended the blaze.

He said: "We believe the fire started within the property. Initially indications are that it was probably caused an electrical heater in the dining room."

He said the fire is now out although crews remain on scene.

He added: "We are just dampening down and cutting away."

Dorset Fire and Rescue Service advised nearby residents to keep their windows and doors closed while the dealt with the blaze.