A HOUSE which was gutted by a huge blaze earlier this year is being demolished.

Fire took hold of the property in The Avenue, West Moors on Tuesday, January 9. A man has since appeared before a judge to deny arson reckless as to whether life was endangered.

Phillip Evans, 55 and of Ringwood Road in Three Legged Cross, will face a trial at Bournemouth Crown Court in June after pleading not guilty to the charge.

Yesterday morning, a demolition crew began tearing the fire-damaged property down.

Gary Small of Ferndown based Direct Demolition has said the work will take no longer than a week to complete.

The property has been cordoned off with fences while the demolition takes place.

At the height of the blaze, around 25 firefighters from five fire stations across two counties battled the flames.

Police and paramedics were also called to the scene.

The property was "well alight" by the time firefighters arrived, and the road was closed to allow emergency services to tackle the blaze.

One man was treated for smoke inhalation.

Officers initially arrested a man in his 50s on suspicion of attempted murder. However, the arrested man was not charged with the offence.