ONE person was taken to hospital after a fire broke out in a property in Sandbanks.

Emergency services attended Banks Road on Wednesday evening and lead a family of four, including two babies, to safety.

A spokesperson for Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "We were called to Banks Road, Poole at 8.55pm for a fire in a flat above commercial property.

"The occupants were alerted by their smoke alarms, and fire control operators gave fire survival guidance to a family of four in the property until fire crews arrived and were able to lead the two adults and two babies to safety.

"Three crews attended, one from Westbourne and two from Poole, and four breathing apparatus wearers used one hose reel jet to deal with the fire, which was in a first floor bedroom. Another occupant had managed to prevent the fire from developing but suffered smoke inhalation, so was taken to hospital as a precaution.

"The stop came at 9.35pm, the fire is believed to have started accidentally although investigations are continuing into the exact cause."

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: “We got a call from the fire service at 9pm on Wednesday, May 12 in relation to a fire at a property in Banks Road in Poole.

“Officers attended to assist and road closures were put in place as the fire service responded to the incident.

“There were no reports of any injuries and officers left the scene at around 10.10pm.”