Dozens of firefighters tackle thatched roof blaze

The roof of a thatched cottage has been destroyed in a major fire.

At its height, 45 firefighters tackled the blaze at the property in Back Lane, Kingston, Sturminster Newton in Dorset.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service was called at 19:07 BST on Sunday.

The fire service said no one was injured in the blaze and that "good progress" was made overnight. Crews remain at the scene with two pumping appliances and an aerial ladder platform continuing to dampen down and remove thatch.

On Monday afternoon the fire service said an investigation has been completed and confirmed the "most probable" cause of the fire was from the heat transfer from a woodburning stove.

Crews from Sturminster Newton, Blandford, Sherborne, Shaftesbury, Bere Regis, Poole, Tisbury, Ferndown and Wincanton, along with an aerial ladder platform from Yeovil, were at the scene.

Water carriers from Bridport, Yeovil and Poole also attended, along with support vehicles from Gillingham and Ferndown.

The fire service said firefighters "completed the salvage of personal possessions from within the building" using water and compressed air foam.

The fire service said "good progress" was made overnight, with resources reduced at 04:00.