70 Firefighters Tackle Ringwood House Fire

Fire crews were alerted to a fire at a terrace house in New Street, Ringwood on Sunday 12th February at 18:29pm.

Control operators immediately mobilised crews from across the New Forest and Southampton areas as well as Dorset to tackle the blaze in the roof of a terraced house in the Moortown area.

Hampshire crews from Burley, Brockenhurst, Beaulieu, Eastleigh, Ringwood, Redbridge, St Mary's and Totton as well as Ferndown and Verwood in Dorset were all called to the scene. In all more than 70 personnel attended the incident.

Firefighters using 30 breathing apparatus, three jets and four hose reels, worked to tackle the blaze which quickly spread to the roof of two further adjoining houses.

The Incident Command Unit and the Fire and Emergency Support Service vehicle were also mobilised to the scene from the Service headquarters at Eastleigh.

Officer in Charge, Group Manager Shaun Rowlatt, said:

"On arrival, the initial crews were faced with a roof fire, well alight and were informed that occupants were still in the building. The crews immediately mounted both fire-fighting and search and rescue operations. Following a through search of the buildings involved all the occupants were accounted for.

"The fire crews continued to tackle the blaze for several more hours to contain it and prevent further spread along the row of terraces. Firefighters from both counties worked very hard indeed and I am very proud of their efforts."

The whole of the roof space of the two storey mid terraced property, measuring approx 5m X 10m, where the original fire started was severely damaged. The first floor also suffered extensive water damage.

The roof space of the second property suffered 75 per cent fire damage and there was further water damage to this property on its first floor.

The roof of a third terrace house was also slightly damaged in the fire.

An investigation will now be carried out to determine the cause of the blaze.