A TUMBLE dryer has been identified as the cause of a fire that ripped through a building in the village of West Knighton this morning (Thursday, 10 September).

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service were alerted to the blaze shortly before 10.40 this morning two crews from Dorchester were despatched. A crew from Weymouth later joined them.

The fire was at a home on Lewell Way in the village to the south east of Dorchester and when crews arrived they found the flames were on two floors.

A fire service spokesperson said: "The crews worked hard to extinguish the fire and preventing further fire spread using two hose reel jets and one mainline, with four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus."

Crews stood down around 1pm and it was later confirmed the fire started with a tumble dryer.