Hampshire and Dorset fire crews put out chip pan warning after dog dies in chalet blaze at Sandy Balls Holiday Village in Fordingbridge
A DOG died and one person suffered smoke inhalation after a chip pan sparked a blaze that tore through a resident's chalet at a New Forest holiday park.
Firefighters from Hampshire and Dorset joined forces as they battled to contain the flames at Sandy Balls Holiday Village in Southampton Road, Fordingbridge.
The alarm was raised shortly before 6pm on Wednesday as smoke and flames billowed from the home on the Godshill estate.
The responding emergency team included crews from the town and Ringwood, as well as Cranborne.
A Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “Firefighters in breathing apparatus entered the property to remove the dog which had sadly died.
"One casualty was given immediate emergency care by firefighters and treated for smoke inhalation.”
The crews spent over 90 minutes containing the flames and venting smoke outside, by which time the property was severely damaged.
One crew was due to have returned later to reinspect the scene and check for remaining hot spots.
The blaze’s circumstances prompted a fire service warning over the use of chip pans, although park operator Away Resorts Ltd maintained they were banned in holiday accommodation.
A post on Fordingbridge fire station’s Twitter page the next day said: “Last night we attended a severe house fire caused by a chip pan.
“Please try to avoid cooking using chip pans if you possibly can.”
An Away Resorts spokesperson said: "We can confirm a fire broke out at one of our residents’ homes at Sandy Balls Holiday Village just before 6pm on Wednesday 11th January.
“The fire started as a result of a chip pan being left on accidentally by the resident.”
They told how members of Sandy Balls provided support at the scene “as best they could” as firefighters tackled the emergency.
“We are saddened to hear that the resident’s dog passed away as a result of the fire,” the statement continued.
“Whilst fire incidents at our holiday parks are rare, we have rigorous fire safety procedures in place across all our resorts.
“Chip pans are not allowed or supplied in any holidaymaker accommodation."