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A DEVASTATING house fire that killed an occupant in the New Forest has been described as ‘tragic’ by shocked residents as investigations continue.
Emergency services were called to the deadly Burley fire in the early hours of Saturday morning July 16.
The fire started around 3.30am at a property in Esdaile Lane and when firefighters arrived on the scene a body was found.
Police received reports of the incident shortly after members of the Hampshire and Dorset fire services were alerted.
The fire was quickly extinguished, revealing extensive damage to the upper floors of the property with half of the roof completely destroyed.
Aftermath of fatal house fire in Esdaile Lane, Burley
It is not yet known what caused the fire and an investigation to determine this is still ongoing.
On Sunday morning, with puddles of water from fire hoses still in place across the road, a Hampshire Police officer was posted outside the property to restrict access and assist residents.
Officers said their presence is expected to remain in place for a few days while investigations continue.
Locals are also still coming to terms with the incident, which they say has rocked the “close-knit community” of Burley.
A man who lives near Esdaile Lane and knows the occupants of the house said: ‘I was woken by numerous fire engines and there was smoke everywhere.
“It is a terrible tragedy for such a tight-knit community.
Just arrived in Burley where Esdaile Road is closed following a fatal house fire in the early hours of Saturday morning. A Hampshire Police officer is on site and residents can drive in and out of the road. @Bournemouthecho @dailyecho pic.twitter.com/x90MlEAsqV
— Andrew Goldman (@AndrewDailyEcho) July 17, 2022
“The whole community knows about it, it’s awful. I can’t think of a worse way to go. People are quite shocked. »
Another man who is staying in Burley while visiting a friend said he slept through the whole incident but could smell smoke and then woke up.
“It’s so tragic,” he said. “We had no idea what was going on while we slept, but when we woke up and realized we couldn’t believe it.
“There was still a lot of smoke around – it was just very smoky. I can’t imagine what they went through. »
The Daily Echo has contacted Hampshire Police for an update on the status of the investigation.
