UPDATE: Police have released a woman arrested on suspicion of arson after a fire in Somerford on Monday night.

Emergency services were called to the fire in Druitt Road at 9.15pm, to find a woman and puppy had already escaped the blaze. 

The woman was arrested in suspicion of arson but this morning a spokesperson for Dorset Police said she had been released without charge.

Fire investigators believe that the blaze was caused accidentally.

Orginal story follows.

POLICE have made an arrest after a woman and a puppy escaped a burning home on Monday night.

Emergency services were called to a home in Druitt Road in Somerford, Christchurch, at around 9.15pm.

The woman had already left the house before firefighters arrived at the scene.

Neighbours who heard an alarm called the emergency services before kicking in the back door to the property.

The casualty then left the house.

Firefighters from four stations were needed to extinguish the blaze, which started on the ground floor of the property.

The casualty was treated for smoke inhalation and the puppy is in the care of an emergency vet.

A spokesperson from Dorset Police said: “Officers were called at 9.17pm by the fire service to reports of a fire at an address in Druitt Road in Christchurch.

“Initially it was reported that two children were still inside the address but it was quickly identified that they were staying with family elsewhere.

“A puppy has been taken to a veterinary clinic for treatment.

“An investigation is under way to establish the exact cause of the fire and a cordon is in place.

“A 28-year-old local woman was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation but did not require hospital treatment.

“She has been arrested on suspicion of arson and is assisting officers with enquiries.

A spokesperson from the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “There were two pumps from Christchurch, one from Springbourne, one from Redhill and two from New Milton.

“The incident is now a police matter as ignition was possibly deliberate.”