A LARGE fire in a common area is being tackled by firefighters in north Dorset.

Two fire crews from Shaftesbury Fire Station and a land rover pump from Blandford were first mobilised to a report of a fire near Semley Common in Shaftesbury.

On arrival firefighters found half of a large stack of approximately one hundred bales of hay ablaze.

A request for assistance was made for an additional fire appliance and a water carrier. Following this, another fire crew was mobilised from Gillingham and a water carrier was sent from Wilton.

A Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “Firefighters are currently using two main jets, with a further hose reel jet and the assistance of two farm tractors, in order to fight the fire.”

According to a service incident drop marker, the fire is in an area of common near the Benett Arms pub and St Leonard’s Church.