This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2yjpedr88o

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Cafe partially collapses as fire engulfs building Cafe partially collapses as fire engulfs building
(31 minutes later)
Drone footage showed the damage to the cafeDrone footage showed the damage to the cafe
About 50 firefighters are tackling a fire at a cafe in Dorchester which has caused the building to partially collapse. About 50 firefighters have tackled a fire at a cafe in Dorchester which has caused the building to partially collapse.
The fire broke out at The Gorge Cafe on South Street shortly after 03:30 GMT. The fire broke out at The Gorge Cafe in South Street shortly after 03:30 GMT.
The blaze had also spread into the roof spaces of neighbouring properties, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said.The blaze had also spread into the roof spaces of neighbouring properties, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said.
No injuries have been reported, but a number of local residents have been moved to a safe place and those living nearby have been urged to keep windows and doors closed. No injuries have been reported, but a number of local residents were moved to a safe place and those living nearby urged to keep windows and doors closed in the early hours due to the large amount of smoke.
Fire engulfed the building in the early hoursFire engulfed the building in the early hours
The fire swept through The Gorge Cafe on South Street and spread to neighbouring buildings The fire swept through cafe in South Street and spread to neighbouring buildings
The fire service said electricity supplies had been cut to South Street and parts of Trinity Street which both remain closed.The fire service said electricity supplies had been cut to South Street and parts of Trinity Street which both remain closed.
A spokesperson said: "There is also an impact on water pressure, so we are using water carriers to try to minimise this.A spokesperson said: "There is also an impact on water pressure, so we are using water carriers to try to minimise this.
"We expect this incident to affect the town centre for some hours, and apologise for the inconvenience caused.""We expect this incident to affect the town centre for some hours, and apologise for the inconvenience caused."
The cause of the fire is not yet known but an investigation will be carried out when it is safe to do so, the fire service added.The cause of the fire is not yet known but an investigation will be carried out when it is safe to do so, the fire service added.
The cafe on South Street has partially collapsed amid the blazeThe cafe on South Street has partially collapsed amid the blaze
The building has a stone plaque on its front wall in the centre of the first floor honouring Thomas Hardy.
It stated the novelist and poet trained at the building as an apprentice architect to John Hicks between 1856-1862.
The Thomas Hardy Society said it was "shocked and saddened" after hearing of the fire.
Hardy designed and built his home Max Gate, just south of the town, and lived there from 1885 until his death in 1928.
It is not yet known if the plaque survived the fire and the building's collapse.
The stone plaque was inserted in the wall on the first floor of the cafe
Get in touchGet in touch
Do you have a story BBC Dorset should cover?Do you have a story BBC Dorset should cover?
You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, external, X, external, or Instagram, external.You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, external, X, external, or Instagram, external.