A FIRE that at its height was being tackled by 35 firefighters is now under investigation.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service were alerted to reports of a fire in Palmerston Road, Boscombe, at around 5.30pm on Saturday, October 5.

The fire prompted a huge emergency response with eight appliances from fire stations as far as Hamworthy.

It is reported that Dorset Police also attended the incident.

Jess Correia, a resident who witnessed the blaze, said: "We were just coming home as we live around the corner.

"There was thick plumes of smoke coming from the roofs. In the end, eight fire trucks from across the region were in attendance.

"A fireman explained that because it was a row of terrace properties the fire had already affected three properties they needed to get the fire under control quickly and therefore needed several engines for support.

"Two firemen were then on the large ladder lifting roof tiles which I think was to confirm all the fire was out.

"Thankfully it seems no one was trapped in the property and no one was harmed.

"The crews did a brilliant job. Given how built up the area is lots of people had come out to see what was going on and the firemen and police service were fantastic at reassuring people."

A spokesperson for Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were called at 5:47pm yesterday (5 October) with reports of smoke in the area near Palmerston Road, Bournemouth.

“Initially one fire engine from Westbourne was mobilised and after further investigations, found a property fire. A further three fire engines were requested and Redhill Park x 1 and Christchurch x 2 were mobilised.

“Due to the fire escalating and spreading to a second property, another four appliances were mobilised (Springbourne 1 x, Poole x 2, Ferndown x 1) along with the aerial ladder platform from Westbourne and a support unit from Hamworthy.

“Approximately 35 firefighters were at the incident and ten breathing apparatus wearers used two hose reel jets to extinguish the fire.

“The stop was in at 7:46pm and resources were scaled back just before 10pm. The fire is now under investigation to determine the cause.”

One appliance visited the property on Sunday morning to carry out further inspection into the fire.

The Daily Echo has contacted Dorset Police for more details.