Three Labradors die in house fire

More than 60 firefighters have tackled a fire in a house on the border between Hampshire and Dorset in which three Labrador dogs died.

Crews from across the two counties were called to the two-storey detached house in the village of Blissford, near Fordingbridge, on Monday morning.

A couple, who were house-sitting the property at Brook Farm while its owners are overseas, were out at the time.

A fourth dog was rescued from the building by two passers by.

The animal has been taken to a veterinary clinic in Fordingbridge for observation.

Two of the dead dogs belonged to the owners of the house, who are believed to be in Canada, a fire service spokesman said.

The third dog belonged to the house-sitters, who look after the property on an annual basis.

The blaze started on the ground floor of the building before spreading to the property's first floor and roof.

'Saddened by loss'

The fire service said the property was "well-alight" when crews arrived and one floor had collapsed over the kitchen.

Group manager Dan Tasker, of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Without the rapid actions of the fire crews in attendance at the scene, there is no doubt that the house would have been completely destroyed.

"The fire was extinguished very quickly, which has resulted in most of the damage to the house being just cosmetic.

"We are of course saddened by the loss of the three dogs and we will be thoroughly investigating the cause of this blaze."

The fire is not believed to be suspicious.

Firefighters remain at the scene to "damp down" hot spots to prevent the fire re-igniting.