Flats left uninhabitable after balcony fire

An aerial photo showing eight fire engines stopped in a town square, with a block of flats on the corner blackened by fire. There's smoke still rising from the building, with a ladder rising from one of the fire engines. — Image caption,
The fire broke out on a balcony of the Ammonite Building in Dorchester on Friday evening

Indy Almroth-Wright

BBC News, South of England

4 September 2025

Residents from a block of 16 flats remain in temporary accommodation after a balcony fire.

The fire broke out on the second floor of the Ammonite building on Brewery Square, Dorchester on Friday shortly before 18:45 BST.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue said its fire safety team was working with the development management company and local authority to understand what happened.

Brewery Square said all flats in the building were impacted by the fire and the building was "not habitable at present". The cause of the fire is currently unknown but is believed to have been accidental.

A photo of the building in the aftermath of the fire in the town square. The block of flats is partially blackened by the smoke. The building has been cordoned off and there are orange and white cones in front of it. Some people are walking nearby. It is cloudy. — Image caption,
The flats and surrounding properties were evacuated as a precaution on Friday night as firefighters contained the fire and stop it from spreading

The fire service said: "We know that local residents may have concerns following the fire, and we are in the process of gathering information about the building and its construction.

"Once this work is complete, we will take appropriate action where it is required."

Robert Ackland, director at Brewery Square said it was working closely with the fire service "as their investigation continues following the fire at the Ammonite building".

"We have met with all affected residents and have extended their temporary accommodation where needed.

"The safety of our residents remains our utmost priority, and we will continue to liaise closely with affected individuals to offer our full support."

The Costa Coffee store on Copper Street, on the ground floor of the block of flats also remains closed.

Rubble in front of the building after the fire. It is in front of the Costa Coffee shop. — Image caption,
Debris from the fire was left strewn across the street below

At its height, there were 13 fire appliances in attendance. The fire was put out shortly before 02:00 the following day.

The fire service said the fire spread up the outside of the front of the building and set some of the timber-cladding alight, which is covered in copper sheeting.

There were no reported injuries.