FIREFIGHTERS rescued an unusual survivor from a barn fire near Blandford in the early hours of this morning (October 11).

Crews from Verwood and Sherborne were sent as relief crews to a barn fire at Thornicombe at around 4am.

“This allows crews that have been in attendance to get back to station after approximately four or five hours on scene,” said a Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson.

Earlier, at around 9.10pm on Monday evening, crews were sent to the fire.

In total, firefighters from Blandford, Sturminster Newton, Poole, Wimborne and Sherborne – as well as the Verwood team – were involved in tackling the blaze.

And the Verwood crew confirmed they had rescued one inhabitant of the barn – a hedgehog.

“This morning we’ve managed to ensure some wildlife is safe from the fire,” the spokesperson added.