DOZENS of firefighters tackled a fire at a derelict GP surgery for the second time in less than a week.

Scores of horrified residents looked on in shock as a doctor’s surgery in Somerford Road, Christchurch, was engulfed by flames. 

Fire crews from two counties rushed to the blaze, which started shortly after 10pm on Tuesday.

On arrival, they discovered the roof space was "well alight”.

This is the second fire to have started in the building in less than a week, however, police have not confirmed if an arson investigation is underway.

Pam Howell, a hospice volunteer, said Tuesday's fire “unnerved” her as she watched it from outside her house.

Bournemouth Echo: Fire damage to the former GP surgeryFire damage to the former GP surgery (Image: Daily Echo)

The 74-year-old said: "I had just gone to bed and I looked out of the window and I saw two boys taking pictures, so I looked at what they were pointing at and I thought ‘my god, the flames’. 

“I dialed 999 and I have never seen so many people come into the close.

 

Read more: House fire in Somerford Road, Christchurch last night

“It took a good couple of hours for the firemen to put it under control. 

“It quite unnerved me; my husband is a retired fireman and we used to live in London, and I have never seen a real fire before.” 

Bournemouth Echo: Fire damage to the former GP surgeryFire damage to the former GP surgery (Image: Daily Echo)

In March, BCP Council gave developers Fox Homes permission demolish the existing building and replace it with a three-storey block - comprised of nine two-bedroom apartments.

One Kay Close resident, who asked not to be named, said: “The building had not been made secure and I have seen kids in there lighting fires, climbing over the fence and leaving their bikes.

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“All the residents here just want it to be made secure because the fire could have been a lot worse than it was last night.” 

Bournemouth Echo:

His wife added: “I looked out of the window and there was not a lot of flames but a lot of smoke. 

“It was bound to happen, a fire; the kids treat it like their clubhouse.”

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A spokeswoman for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “On arrival crews found a three-storey derelict building with the roof space well alight, six breathing apparatus wearers used hose reel jets and three main lines to extinguish the fire. 

Bournemouth Echo: Fire engines at the sceneFire engines at the scene (Image: Harrison Evans)

“The stop came through at 11.32pm and crews remained on scene until just after 2am this morning. The cause is unknown and no casualties have been reported.” 

Dorset Police were called to help with road closures and officers are liaising with the fire brigade to establish the cause. 

A fire also broke out at the derelict building on the evening of Friday, June 16, which required two fire engines to respond.