Two major fires tackled by crews

More than 80 firefighters attended the thatched house in Gaunts Common

Fire crews have tackled two major fires in Dorset overnight.

A couple and their young baby were "extremely lucky" to be alive after their first floor flat in Hillman Road, Poole, became engulfed in smoke.

The couple were woken by the sound of their baby coughing. They were all taken to hospital.

Meanwhile 85 firefighters in 16 engines fought a blaze in a thatch roof and first floor of a house in Gaunts Common, near Wimborne. No-one was hurt.

About 40% of the building was destroyed and an investigation into the cause is under way.

'Black from smoke'

The fire in the Poole flat had been so intense, the kitchen boiler had melted off the wall, a fire service spokesman said.

Crews from Westbourne and Poole "could not believe they were not witnessing three more fire deaths", he added.

Watch manager Adrian Adams said the couple and the baby were found on a landing in the property, and were all "black from the smoke - including the baby".

"It seems they were woken by the sound of the baby coughing and this undoubtedly saved their lives.

"There was no smoke detection in the home that we could see so they were very, very lucky indeed."