Balcony fire at flats likely caused by batteries

The fire broke out on a balcony of the Ammonite Building in Dorchester

A fire that left a block of flats uninhabitable for more than two months was likely started accidentally by batteries thrown in a rubbish bin, the fire service has said.

The blaze at the Ammonite building in Brewery Square, Dorchester, broke out on a second-floor balcony shortly before 18:45 BST on 29 August.

The fire spread up the exterior, leaving all 16 flats uninhabitable with residents forced into temporary accommodation.

After extensive repairs, residents from nine apartments have been able to move back into their homes in recent weeks.

While firefighters contained the fire and stopped it from spreading, surrounding properties were evacuated as a precaution.

At its height 13 fire engines were sent to the flats. The fire was put out shortly before 02:00 the following day.

There were no reported injuries.