WAREHAM town centre came to a standstill this morning following a fire that threatened to destroy the historic Black Bear Hotel.

No-one was injured in the drama but hotel residents had to be evacuated by quick-thinking staff after smoke was spotted billowing from a downstairs electricity cupboard.

Fire chiefs said the building might well have been lost if it was not for the quick action of the first fire crews on scene.

DFRS station manager Richard Coleman explained: “When we arrived there were visible flashes of mains voltage electricity.

“This is a significant hazard to firefighters, so we did what we could to suppress the fire in the room above and withdrew until the electricity board could isolate the supply. The early actions of those crews from Wareham have saved this building. There is no doubt that if they hadn’t taken that decision early on to go in, the fire would have take hold in that room above.

“There would have been every chance we would have lost this fantastic building.”

Around 30 firefighters attended the three-storey hotel on South Street just before 10am.

Six fire engines, including crews from Wareham, Swanage, Bere Regis, Poole and Hamworthy attended, as did the Red Cross support vehicle.

South Street was closed in both directions throughout the morning, until DFRS gave the all-clear early afternoon.

Black Bear Hotel co-owner Beccie Lee, who lives at the property, was working when she noticed the smell of smoke.

Speaking from the scene, she told the Daily Echo: “I saw smoke coming from the dining room area. Then I heard a popping noise. I could see it was coming from the electrics, so I just evacuated everyone from inside and called the fire brigade.”

Those evacuated included residents, cleaners and kitchen staff.

Co-owner and manager Lynda Maytum, who lives in the cottage behind the hotel, said: “It seems to have started downstairs near the dining room. We have this big flap that comes down where they read the metres in the porchway.

“That is where it really looks like it got going. Then it went up into room nine upstairs.

“The first I knew of it was when Beccie came in and got me. I’d like to say thank you to all of the local people that have come out in support as well.”

DFRS say the building has suffered significant smoke and fire damage. It remains uncertain how long it will be until the hotel is able to fully reopen.