A total of 12 fire engines, 10 Land Rover pumps and a number of support appliances are at the scene, drawn from across Dorset and Wiltshire.

During the incident, there has also been support from Devon & Somerset FRS and Hampshire FRS, both with crews attending the fire and others providing fire cover.

Firefighters are working extremely hard in very hot conditions using hose reel jets, main lines and beaters to bring the fire to a close; and several miles of hose have been laid to the River Piddle to boost water provision, using high volume pumps from Christchurch and Wellington.

Smoke is still rising from the scene and affecting a wide area, particularly towards Bournemouth, Poole, Wimborne and Ferndown. If you are affected and are concerned, please keep windows and doors closed as a precaution.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation and detectives are appealing for anyone with information or relevant dashcam footage to come forward.

Detective Constable Richard Evans, of Weymouth CID, said, “At this time the cause of the fire remains unexplained and we are liaising with the fire service to establish the full circumstances.