AROUND 70 firefighters were involved in dealing with a large blaze involving several homes in Christchurch yesterday evening.

A huge plume of thick black smoke could be seen for miles around.

The fire happened in Oak Avenue, near Iford Bridge.

It started at a two-storey house but spread to two neighbouring properties in Chestnut Avenue and also a number of garages.

Station manager Stuart Granger said: “At 7.10pm, three crews were sent to a report of a property fire with persons inside a house.

“On arrival our crews were faced with a large developing fire in a property in Oak Avenue and the fire started to spread to a neighbouring property in Chestnut Avenue.

"At this point, a request was made for 14 appliances to attend the incident.

“If it wasn’t for the great work of our crews this could have spread further."

Local residents were urged to avoid the area and to keep doors and windows shut due to the smoke.

At the height of the incident, 14 fire engines were at the scene.

An aerial ladder platform was used to help tackle the blaze. Everyone inside the affected properties had been accounted for by 8.15pm.

Bournemouth Echo:

Dorset Police closed the road at the scene. A cordon was put up along Oak Avenue, Cedar Avenue, Chestnut Avenue, and Stourvale Avenue.

An investigation into the cause of the fire will take place today, but there are no suspicious circumstances according to Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS).

A spokesperson said: "[We] tackled a significant fire in Oak Avenue, Christchurch last night, with approximately 70 firefighters in attendance.

"A 999 call was received at 7.10pm to say a two-storey house was well alight, and the fire also spread to two adjacent properties in Chestnut Avenue, and a garage and a camper van.

"Crews were mobilised from DWFRS and Hampshire – Christchurch (two), Springbourne, Redhill Park, Westbourne, Ferndown, New Milton (two), Poole (three), Ringwood, Wimborne (two) and Burley. Officer support was also sent from Devon & Somerset.

"Twenty two breathing apparatus wearers, multiple jets and the aerial ladder platform from Westbourne were used to fight the fire, with water being drawn from the nearby river at Iford Bridge. A water carrier from Christchurch and a support appliance from Hamworthy were also in attendance.

"As at 8.15pm, it had been confirmed that all occupants of the affected properties had been accounted for. British Red Cross emergency response volunteers were on scene to support those displaced. Also supporting the incident were Dorset Police, BCP Council, South Western Ambulance Service and Public Health England.

"As at 10.45pm, the fire was mostly extinguished, with just hot spots to deal with, and the attendance was reduced to three crews, drawn from Cranborne, Shaftesbury and Swanage. A crew from Christchurch then reattended shortly after 5am and a reinspection is scheduled for 8am.

"Initial fire investigations have started but this will continue today. At this stage, there is no information about a potential cause, but there are no suspicious circumstances."

Mr Granger, who is a fire safety manager with the service, added: "Any residents who have concerns about fire in their premises can go to our website (www.dwfire.org.uk) to register for a free fire safety check."