writes Ellie Maslin

An INVESTIGATION is underway after a major barn fire on the outskirts of Weymouth.

The fire service said a fire in a van and caravan spread to the building towards the top of Coombe Valley Road, near Preston.

The road had to be closed for several hours while firefighters tackled the blaze. Police were also in attendance.

Plaisters Lane in Sutton Poyntz was also closed both ways except for access.

Two firecrews from Weymouth, one from Dorchester and the water carrier appliance from Bridport were at the scene - about 20 firefighters.

Due to the remote location, Bridport’s water carrier supplied water for the appliances before carrying out 'water shuttles', fetching water from a source then returning to the scene.

Weymouth's aerial ladder platform was then requested to attend to assist with firefighting from above as well as to help crews remove parts of the roof and make loose sections of roofing safe.

A second crew from Dorchester went to Weymouth for standby duties

A spokesman for Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "We were called to Coombe Valley Road at 1.46pm for a fire involving a caravan and van which had spread to an adjacent barn.

"We had crews from Weymouth and Dorchester in attendance, supported by a water carrier from Bridport and an aerial ladder platform from Weymouth."

At around 5.30pm the fire brigade said the fire was still ongoing, but the incident was being scaled back.

"Six breathing apparatus wearers used two hose reel jets to bring the fire under control," the spokesman added.

"The cause of the fire is being investigated."

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: "We were called at 2pm by the fire service to make us aware that a barn was on fire near Coombe Valley Road at Preston, Weymouth.

"Initially there was no requirement for us to attend.

"We received a further call at 2.21pm requesting our assistance to close Coombe Valley Road at the junction with Littlemoor Road and Plaisters Lane."

Originally published in the Dorset Echo

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