EMERGENCY services rushed to a road in Boscombe this morning after a 'severe' fire broke out in the roof of a flat.

Eight fire engines were called to the property in Palmerston Road just before 8.30am and neighbouring residents were asked to evacuate their homes. Ambulances were also in attendance, although nobody is thought to have been injured.

Police shut the road at the junctions of Walpole Road and Borthwick Road and also at the junction of Centenary Way while crews tackled the fire, which was out by 10am.

Andy Fox, head of fire safety for Dorset Fire and Rescue, said the service received multiple emergency calls from the public about the fire.

“We mobilised the nearest appliances from Springbourne and Christchurch and, once they were on the scene, we asked for further fire engines and an aerial ladder platform,” he said.

“People had seen smoke coming out of the roof. Eight fire engines attended and we managed to contain the fire in the property it started in.”

He said crews initially believed there were people inside the property, but it was found to be empty. He went on to praise the crews for their efforts in difficult conditions, as well as community members who helped ensure everyone was safely evacuated.

“The fire in the roof was severe and it needed aggressive firefighting to make sure it did not spread further.

“We’ve had residents supporting us, helping to get people out of their homes. We’re also grateful for the support of the Salvation Army in Boscombe and the British Red Cross fire and emergency support service.”

Alexandra Cristea, 27, who lives next door to the flat where the fire started, said: “It was my day off today so I was still in bed when I got a knock on the door at 8.30am.

"One guy was screaming ‘fire, get out!’ so I was obviously scared. I’m just waiting now for the firemen to tell me my house is safe to go back in to as there was quite a bit of smoke in there.

“I’ve lived here for over a year and never gone through anything like this before. It’s pretty amazing what’s happened, not what you expect at that time of the morning.”

And Dean Buffone from Bournemouth was at an appointment at Boscombe and Springbourne Health Centre on Palmerston Road when the fire broke out. He was unable to drive home until police re-opened the road.

He said: “They’ve taken it very seriously but I’m just glad nobody’s hurt. They’ve made sure the operation ran smoothly.”