Huge fire rips through Dorchester cafe causing building to partially collapse
A major fire has ripped through a cafe in Dorchester in the early hours of this morning.
Crews from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue service were called to The Gorge Cafe, on South Street, where the building was engulfed in flames.
The building has now partially collapsed after the fire spread across two the neighbouring roofs.
People living and working nearby are being advised to close doors and windows due to the volume of smoke.
Firefighters remain at the scene on South Street, Dorchester
A spokesperson for DWFRS said: "We are currently dealing with a serious fire in a commercial premises on South Street, Dorchester.
"There is a lot of smoke in the area so local residents are advised to keep doors and windows closed as a precaution."
Drone images taken this morning reveal the extensive damage to the building.
There are currently several road closures in place in the centre of the town as crews continue to deal with the fire in South Street.
Barry Whettingsteel, Owner, Secret Garden Cafe
Athony Bholah from Dorset and Wilshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "We've got assistance across border, area ladder appliance from Devon and Somerset, we've got water carriers and we've got command vehicles and the very other ancillary vehicles.
"We were mobilised to reports of a fire in a cafe within a terraced street, and then on arrival, shortly after arrival, we saw a total collapse of the building down to ground floor.
"There was still a significant fire at the time and crews spent a lot of time and effort to try and prevent fire spread to the rest of the street and try and contain the fire as best we could to try and minimise the effects to the remaining properties.
"We've still got a number of firefighting crews within the adjacent properties trying to prevent further fire spread.
"We've got a number of displaced residents, so we're working very closely with the police and the local authority to try and take care of the needs of the people that have been displaced.
"Then we'll try and get the area back to normality as quickly as possible."
Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know...