Man in his 70s killed and second fighting for his life after fire rips through house near Weymouth seafront
A MAN in his 70s has been killed and another is fighting for his life after a horror house fire cops “believed to be suspicious”.
Dorset Police have launched an urgent appeal after the blaze ripped through a property in Southdown Road, Weymouth, at just before 11am on Friday.
A man in his 70s was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
Another man in his 60s was transported to hospital by air ambulance, where he remains in serious condition.
One local told the Dorset Echo: “I contacted a nearby paramedic who lives close to us, and some ladies from Weldmar went to get wet towels.
“Everyone did what they could to pull together- I’ve seen people I never saw before on this street helping out.”
Another said they saw smoke “pouring out the property” while someone else reported it was “shocking and harrowing to see.”
Cops are treating the fire as “suspicious” and detectives from the Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT) have launched a full investigation.
Dorset police urged anyone with home CCTV systems or doorbell cameras, as well as motorists with dashcams, to come forward with any information they may have.
A spokesperson for the force said: “Dorset Police received a report at 10.59am on Friday 4 October 2024 of a fire at an address in Southdown Road in Weymouth.
“Officers attended the scene, along with the fire and ambulance services.
“Very sadly, a man aged in his 70s was pronounced deceased at the scene. His family has been informed.
“A man aged in his 60s was also taken to hospital, where he remains in a serious condition.
“Following further enquiries into the cause of the fire, it is believed to be suspicious and detectives from the Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT) have launched a full investigation into the circumstances of the incident.”
Detective Chief Inspector Neil Third, of the MCIT, said: “Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the man who sadly died in this fire and officers are supporting them and keeping them updated with the progress of our investigation.
“We are treating this fire as suspicious and I am keen to hear from anyone who witnessed any unusual activity in the area of Southdown Road during the morning of Friday 4 October 2024, or who has any information that might assist our enquiries.
“I would urge residents in the vicinity with home CCTV systems or doorbell cameras, as well as motorists with dashcam fitted who may have been in the area, to please review any footage for anything that might help our investigation.
“A cordon remains in place at the address and there will be an increased policing presence in the area as we continue to investigate this matter.
“Officers can be approached by members of the public with information or concerns.”
Meanwhile a spokesperson for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service said: “We were called to an incident at 10.51am today (4 October) at Southdown Road, Weymouth to reports of a property fire.
“Crews from Weymouth, Dorchester and Portland attended, and on arrival found a well-developed fire within the property.
“Eight breathing apparatus wearers used two hose reel jets and one main jet to extinguish the fire. Technical rescue equipment was used to stabilise the building.”
And, a spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) said: “We were called at 10.52am on Friday, October 4 to an incident in Weymouth.
“We sent two double-crewed ambulances, two air ambulances, an operations officer, and a tactical commander and to the scene.
“We conveyed one patient by air ambulance to Salisbury District Hospital.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55240152830.
Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.