Teenager in hospital and kittens rescued from Wimborne fire

Firefighters were called to Ryan Way, Wimborne, after reports of flames bellowing from the window of a semi-detached property at 8.28am this morning.

Three crews from Poole were followed by units from Wimborne, Redhill Park, Ferndown and the Aerial Ladder Platform (ALP) from Westbourne to combat the fire.

Incident commander Julian Lockwood told the Echo: “We were called at 8.30am and first crews arrived from Poole and then followed by Wimborne so we were here by about 8.40am.

Fire in Ryan Way, Wimborne. Picture: Robert Lord

“The back bedroom was on fire, a young girl, 14, was outside the property at the time. There was quite a severe fire on the first floor.

Read more: Live updates from Wimborne house fire

“The 14-year-old was downstairs in the kitchen when the smoke alarm had gone off, which is brilliant, her mum had left to drive her brother to school. She phoned her mum and her mum said ‘just get out the property.’

“She did actually just go quickly upstairs, have a look, saw the fire and smoke. She breathed in a bit of smoke and then she got herself out.

Fire crews from @DWFireRescue dealing with a residential fire near Wimborne. Assistance from @labcuk and @DorsetCouncilUK to check the safety of the structure prior to handover to the owners. pic.twitter.com/AOU0bXbiOh

— Graham Kewley (@DWFRSGKewley) November 22, 2021

“We’ve got the fire investigation here now, it’s still unsafe we’re still trying to get rid of the smouldering embers in the roof so we won’t know at the moment.”

Two kittens were also rescued from the property. Mr Lockwood said: “There was a cat and two kittens, I think the cat made its way out but firefighters found two kittens downstairs so we actually have a pet therapy kit, they got a bit of oxygen therapy, but they’re fine and they’re now with the neighbours.”

Oxygen therapy kit used on kittens after fire in Ryan Way, Wimborne. Picture: BNPS

He added the teenager was taken to hospital for precaution checks and was soon joined by her mother.

A Dorset & Wiltshire Fire spokesperson said: “The fire is now under control and crews are using the ALP to assess the roof space for any fire spread. Firefighters have used six sets of breathing apparatus and three hose reels and three main lines to extinguish the fire.”

Unstable and damaged tiles were removed from the roof and crews cordoned off a car park area at the front of the house to allow them to fall safely.

Fire inspectors were on scene to determine the cause of the fire which, currently, is still unknown.