AN HISTORIC Wimborne inn has been temporarily closed after four rooms suffered smoke damage during a fire.

Footage by Simon Barnes 

The blaze broke out in a laundry room at 1777 Bedrooms at the Albion in the High Street on Saturday afternoon, and spread to a car parked outside.

Smoke was seen billowing from behind the hotel, with some residents fearing the nearby historic Priest’s House museum was ablaze.

Footage by Simon Barnes 

Crews from Wimborne and Poole were called to the scene at around 4.20pm.

Firefighters used six breathing apparatus, two hose reel jets, two main lines, and three thermal imaging cameras to tackle the blaze, which took hold in an outside laundry room before spreading to a car.

A staff member at the hotel’s sister bar and restaurant, The Olive Branch, said four out of ten bedrooms had suffered smoke damage, but everyone had been evacuated safely.

They also said the Albion was likely to remain closed for a couple of days.

Wimborne resident Gilly Pantlin said “lots of shocked people” watched as firefighters worked to put out the fire.

“I live around the corner and received news that the Priest’s House museum was on fire. Being such an historic building, I went out to see if everything was ok.

“The road was shut off on the High Street. The fire looked pretty ferocious – it was quite scary. There was smoke billowing out from the building.

“There were two or three fire engines, and the crew did an amazing job. They had the fire under control in less than half an hour.”

A spokesperson for Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said the incident was dealt with by 5.22pm. They were unable to confirm the extent of the damage, but an investigation into the cause of the fire is under way.

The Albion remains closed with the burnt out car fenced off at the rear.

Holidaymaker Peter Wilder said: “It is a shame the place has been forced to close temporarily, but it doesn’t look like any major damage has occurred. Hopefully they’ll be back up and running again pretty quickly.”

The Albion, which dates back to the 17th century, was the oldest of four coaching inns in Wimborne - of which only two remain.

King George III once stopped for refreshments as he travelled to Weymouth.