POLICE have this morning closed part of a major road after a building fire.

The B3347 southbound is shut after a pile of wood set ablaze on a property between the Avon Causeway, Court Farm Lane and Derritt Lane, Sopley.

The fire spread to a single-storey garage.


Motorists travelling between Ringwood and Christchurch are affected, with reports of slow-moving traffic in the area.

Graham Kewley, fire service station manager, said: "At 6.17am fire control were informed of a fire involving an electrical pole in Sopley village.

"Immediately mobilised two appliances from Christchurch. On arrival they found the pole was well alight and 

"Additional resources were requested including two further applicances and the water carrier.

"A local road closure was put in place while crews dealt with the fire.

"We worked with the SSE electrical board and local authority to deal with the incident.

"We anticpate Derritt Lane to be closed for a short period today while the electricity company deal with the pole replacement.

"Crews worked hard tp prevent the fire from spreading to adjoining buildings in the area."

A spokesperson from the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "We were called at 6.17am to a fire involving a pile of wood.

"The fire was quite close to some cylinders and overhead cabling.

"It also spread to a garage."

Three crews were at the scene and the blaze has now been extinguished.