Fire breaks out at beach hut near gas canisters

A fire at a block of beach huts containing gas canisters has prompted a large emergency response.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue said crews from Westbourne and Poole had been called to the scene in Sandbanks at 17:30 BST on Wednesday, after an upper floor beach hut caught fire.

Dorset Police said a significant number of firefighters had attended because of the presence of gas canisters and the initial spread of the fire, which had been started by a faulty cooker.

A spokesperson said the canisters had been safely removed and no-one was injured.

The fire was extinguished using a hose reel and main line by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus, with crews standing down shortly after 19:00.

Police said crews had remained at the scene until around 20:00 to ensure neighbouring huts that had suffered damage were safe.

They said there had been no risk to the wider public.