A DEVASTATING house fire which killed an occupant in the New Forest has been described as “tragic” by shocked residents as investigations continue.
Emergency services were called out to the fatal fire in Burley during the early hours of Saturday (July 16) morning.
The blaze broke out at around 3.30am at a property in Esdaile Lane and when firefighters arrived at the scene, a body was found.
Police received reports of the incident soon after members of Hampshire and Dorset fire services were alerted.
The fire was soon extinguished, revealing substantial damage caused to the upper floors of the property with half of the roof entirely destroyed.
It is not yet known what caused the blaze and an investigation to determine this is still ongoing.
On Sunday morning, with water puddles from fire engine hoses still in place across the road, a Hampshire Constabulary officer was stationed outside the property to limit access and assist residents.
Officers said their presence is expected to remain in place for a few days while enquiries continue.
Local people are also still coming to terms with the incident, which they say has rocked the “close-knit community” of Burley.
A man who lives near Esdaile Lane and knows the occupants of the house said: “I was woken up by lots of fire engines and there was smoke everywhere.
“This is a terrible tragedy for such a close-knit community.
Just arrived in Burley where Esdaile Road is closed off following the fatal house fire in the early hours of Saturday morning. One Hampshire Constabulary officer is on scene and residents are able to get in and out of the road. @Bournemouthecho @dailyecho pic.twitter.com/x90MlEAsqV
— Andrew Goldman (@AndrewDailyEcho) July 17, 2022
“The whole community knows about it, it’s awful. I can’t think of a worse way to go. People are pretty shocked by it.”
Another man who is staying in Burley while visiting a friend said they slept through the entire incident but could smell the smoke then they awoke.
“It’s just so tragic,” he said. “We had no idea what was going on as we were asleep but when we woke up and realised we couldn’t believe it.
“There was still lots of smoke around – it was just very smoky. I can’t imagine what they have been through.”
The Daily Echo has approached Hampshire Constabulary for an update into the status of the investigation.
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