A CHINCHILLA was rescued from a fire in rural Dorset. 

Two crews, including one from Bere Regis and Poole fire stations, raced to the property near Winterborne Zelston, off the A31, on Monday evening, July 8. 

On arrival, firefighters found an outbuilding engulfed in flames and quickly worked to extinguished it before it reached the house. 

According to a spokesman from Bere Regis fire station, everybody who was in the house at the time of the fire were able to evacuate. 

He said: “Last night our fire engine, along with Poole Fire Station, were mobilised to a house fire near Winterborne Zelston.  

“On arrival, an outbuilding was found to be well alight. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus quickly got to work with a hose reel jet to bring the fire under control and prevent spread to the main building. 

“Over the course of the incident, four breathing apparatus teams were required to fully extinguish the fire and ensure there was no continuing risk.  

“Luckily, all occupants had been able to exit the building prior to the arrival of fire crews and no injuries were incurred.” 

A spokeswoman for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service added: "We were called to a property between Mapperton and Winterborne Zelston at 7.36pm last night (8 July) for a fire in an outbuilding belonging to a semi-detached house.

"Three crews attended, one from Bere Regis and two from Poole, and eight breathing apparatus wearers used two hose reel jets to extinguish the fire.

"A chinchilla was brought to safety by firefighters and no injuries were reported. The stop was at 9.30pm."