A WOMAN was seriously injured when a fire broke out in a Christchurch house.

A member of the public managed to drag the woman to safety from the burning property in Purewell this afternoon.

Now the cause of the blaze is under investigation and the woman is being treated in hospital.

Emergency services were alerted just before 1pm to the terraced property, opposite The Buttery.

Around 35 firefighters attended in six fire appliances from Christchurch, Springbourne, Redhill, Westbourne, Hamworthy and Ferndown.

Bournemouth Echo:

Two ambulances and a number of police officers also attended and the road was cordoned off from Purewell roundabout.

Drivers were asked to avoid the area due to the large number of emergency vehicles at the scene.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service group manager Richard Coleman said they received a call to a "persons reported fire" at 12.56pm.

He said around 35 firefighters were at the scene, with two ambulances.

Bournemouth Echo:

 "A woman was rescued from the building by a member of the public who pulled her outside and started giving her medical treatment," said Mr Coleman.

"The ambulance service arrived and took over and she has been taken to hospital.

"We are now investigating the cause of the fire."

Six sets of breathing apparatus and three hose reel jets were used to extinguish the fire, which is believed to have started accidentally.

A spokesman for Dorset Police added: "Dorset Police received a report at 1.01pm on Monday March 8 of a property fire in Purewell in Christchurch.

"Officers attended to assist the fire service with traffic control.

"A woman was taken to hospital in what was believed to be a serious condition. Her next of kin has been made aware."

The spokesman said police and the fire service are liaising and added: "No indication has been given as to the cause of the fire at this time."