TWO homes have been gutted by fire in North Dorset in an incident which lasted for much of the day.

The drama began at 8.30am, when Dorset Fire and Rescue received over 15 999 calls to a serious blaze in a home at Vale Road, Stalbridge.

At the height of the incident, six fire engines were on the scene of the fire, which affected two semi-detached homes.

By 10am, the service was scaling down its response, but at 11.30am the gas main into the properties ruptured as a result of the fire.

Around 30 people were evacuated from their homes after the gas main ruptured. A 100 metre cordon was in place and 25 homes were affected.

Dorset Fire & Rescue Service asked members of the public to avoid the area.

Red Cross volunteers set up a rest centre at the Royal British Legion Club in Barrow Hill.

They provided support to around nine residents.

Red Cross Fire and Emergency Support service volunteer Richard Selby said during the day: “We’re supporting about eight or nine people at the rest centre at the moment but we’re anticipating more coming here once children come home from school and people get home from work and realise they’re not going to be able to go home."

The gas main continued to be dealt with by the gas company with the assistance of Dorset Fire and Rescue.

At 9pm on Monday night a Dorset Fire and Rescue spokesperson said the fire service had been at the incident all day and the blaze was now dealt with.

The spokesperson added that although the cause was being investigated and would not be known for a couple of days, both properties concerned in Vale Road had been completely gutted by the blaze.