A beach hut valued at £50,000 was engulfed in flames on the exclusive Sandbanks peninsula in Poole, Dorset, on Wednesday afternoon. The fire, which broke out in a second-floor cabin, is believed to have been sparked by a faulty cooker.
Fire crews were called to the scene at approximately 5:30 p.m. as thick black smoke billowed into the sky. The blaze spread across the roof of several huts, leaving one completely charred. Firefighters battled the flames, with concerns that gas canisters inside could explode.
Dorset Police and Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that a small camping stove or cooker was the likely cause of the fire. The fire was extinguished by 8 p.m. No injuries were reported.
Sandbanks is known as a millionaires' playground, with average detached home prices around £1.75 million. Beach huts in the area are highly sought after, and the local council maintains a waiting list for prospective buyers. Some huts are rented out for as much as £3,600 per year.
Several celebrities have previously owned properties on the peninsula, which is often referred to as the "St Tropez of the UK."
Officials asked the public to avoid the immediate area to allow emergency services to work unimpeded and maintain access to a nearby fire hydrant. The incident is not believed to pose any wider risk to the public.