Residents evacuated as fire breaks out at Weymouth flats

Residents have been evacuated from a block of flats on Dorchester Road in Weymouth as emergency crews work to bring a fire under control.

The blaze, near Tesco Express, prompted a response from firefighters, with crews still working to extinguish the fire at the time of writing.

Council representatives have arrived to offer emergency accommodation to those affected.

Photographs from the scene show smoke and an orange glow rising above the building’s roof, with firefighters wearing breathing apparatus and hoses laid across the grounds outside. Police are also pictured at the scene.

The cause of the fire and the extent of the damage have not yet been confirmed. There is currently no confirmed information about any injuries or how many residents have been displaced.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service said in a statement:

We received a call at 12.38am this morning (20 September) about a domestic property fire on Dorchester Road, Weymouth. Crews from Weymouth (x2), Portland, Dorchester, Blandford, Bridport, and Maiden Newton attended the incident along with a support unit from Hamworthy, and the Aerial Ladder Platform from Yeovil.
The incident involves a well-developed fire within a top floor flat, which had spread to the roof space. Multiple breathing apparatus wearers have been using main lines along with the ALP and a covering jet to extinguish the fire and prevent fire spread.
A full evacuation has been carried out, and a fire investigation will take place once possible as the incident is still ongoing. Six appliances and an ALP appliance remains in attendance.

Dorset Police has confirmed there are no reports of any casualties.

A spokesperson said: "We received a report at 12.49am from the fire service in relation to a property fire in Dorchester Road in Weymouth.
"Officers attended and assisted with road closures and evacuating residents from the r building.
"There were no reports of any casualties.
"The cause of the fire has not been confirmed at this time.
"Road closures remain in place,."

Further updates will follow as more information becomes available.

Images are credited to Dorset Gazette / Seaside Kebab