Crews from Bridport were amongst the 65 firefighters battling a large house fire last night and into the early hours of the morning.

Attendance has been scaled back to two crews who continue to damp down the two cottages that were affected.

Bridport crews were on their way to provide cover at Weymouth fire station when they got the call to join firefighters at the house fire at around 7.20pm.

A spokesman for Bridport Fire Station said: "On scene, multiple breathing apparatus wearers were used to tackle the fire and salvage personal belongings from the property.

"Once the property became unsafe to enter, the fire was tackled using multiple hose reel jets, main lines and an aerial ladder platform.

"The fire originated in the kitchen and rapidly spread to the thatched roof. As its height there were 13 fire crews and 65 firefighters in attendance, plus the police and utilities agents.

"One appliance from Bridport was released from the incident to carry out standby duties at Portland fire station.

"The fire was eventually brought under control by approximately 11pm and scaled back to six pumps and later into the night two pumps.

"Both Bridport appliances were back on station by 11.30pm."

However, Bridport was called again at just before 1am to go back to the house fire.

The spokesman added: "Bridport's water carrier was mobilised to the Poxwell fire to supply water to the aerial ladder platform due to low mains water pressure.

"Crews returned to station at 4am."

Thirteen crews were on scene at the height of fire, including from Bridport, Beaminster, Dorchester, Weymouth, Wareham, Bere Regis, Portland, Hamworthy, Poole and Westbourne – together with an aerial ladder platform from Westbourne, a water carrier from Poole and support units from Hamworthy and Poole were called just before 6.45pm last night (Thursday).

A kitchen fire in one pair of semi-dethatched cottages was spreading to the thatched roof and as well as trying to contain the fire, crews tried to salvage possessions from the affected homes.

One person was taken to hospital with smoke inhalation.

The A353 between Warmwell Roundabout and Osmington Mills was closed for a number of hours.