AROUND 100 firefighters tackled a blaze at a home in Cranborne yesterday evening.

The fire affected a thatched cottage in Church Street.

Ten fire engines were called to the scene and approximately 100 firefighters worked in "demanding conditions" to get the blaze under control, according to a Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Control spokesperson.

The B3078 was closed through the village while crews dealt with the incident. The fire service was called at around 6pm.

Residents were asked to stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed due to smoke.

People were urged to avoid the area due to the number of fire engines in attendance.

Half an hour after fire crews were called to the incident, a single-vehicle crash was reported in Castle Street in Cranborne. Firefighters made sure nobody was trapped in the vehicle. 

A male casualty was taken to hospital.

Shortly before 10pm, the fire service said crews would be "scaling down attendance in the next hour".

"Despite damage to thatched roof, firefighters successfully avoided significant fire damage to the rest of the property and worked hard to salvage all of the owners' possessions," the service said in a tweet. 

It added: "Great community spirit with the local church providing salvage for the property owners."