FIRE crews from around the county raced to the scene of a thatched cottage blaze in west Dorset.

A total of seven crews attended the incident at Puncknowle last night - including two fire engines and a water carrier from Bridport, one crew from Charmouth, one from Beaminster and two from Weymouth.

A spokesman for Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "The property owner had been alerted by a passer by to flames in their thatched roof.

"They quickly pitched their own ladder and using a garden hose managed to dampen down the flames whilst others dialled 999.

"Crews used two nine metre ladders, a roof ladder, one hose reel jet, two thermal imaging cameras, one chimney kit, working at height gear and small tools to remove a section of thatch and extinguish the fire."

No major damage was caused thanks to the "quick thinking" and actions of the passer by and home owner, the fire service has said.

Meanwhile, a fire investigation concluded that the fire was caused by embers from the chimney.

The brigade is urging anyone living in a thatched home to read up on latest safety advice.

The spokesman added: "Living in a thatched property doesn’t mean you are any more at risk from fire, but it does mean you need to consider your fire safety and maintain your home to prevent fire."

For more information on fire safety for thatched properties visit dwfire.org.uk/safety/safety-at-home/thatched-properties