A FAMILY had a lucky escape after a fierce blaze destroyed a caravan and spread to their West Parley home.

Exploding canisters alerted neighbours to the fire in Winnards Close at 9.20pm last Wednesday.

Many alerted Dorset Fire and Rescue before running into the street to check on the residents.

The family of four managed to get out of the house and escape injury despite being shaken by their ordeal.

“I heard a loud noise which sounded like someone was trying to break into the house but when I looked outside I saw the flames” said neighbour James Bradshaw.

“The whole caravan was ablaze very quickly and it spread to the property. There were cylinders exploding throughout the fire.

“The fire brigade were here for a couple of hours and managed to bring it under control quickly.”

The bungalow suffered extensive damage and has a gaping hole in the roof and severe fire and smoke damage.

Flames also spread to a neighbouring property, causing damage to the roof, and also damaged a car.

The distraught family was too upset to talk about the incident.

Fire crews used eight sets of breathing apparatus, two hose reel jets and a man line to bring the fire under control.

The cause is believed to be an electrical fault in the caravan.