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A fire has badly damaged the New Forest home of film director Ken Russell.

More than 50 firefighters tackled the blaze at the thatched cottage in East Boldre, near Beaulieu in Hampshire, on Monday morning.

Mr Russell, 78, was at the post office when the blaze started in the roof of his single-storey home.

The film director's fourth wife Elize was alerted by a fire alarm and managed to get to safety, Hampshire Fire and Rescue said.


Fire investigations are continuing this afternoon but at this stage the fire is not thought to be suspicious
Hampshire Fire and Rescue
"The cottage has been severely damaged in the fire," said a spokeswoman from Hampshire Fire and Rescue.

"Mr Russell and his wife were quite shaken and both have been seen by our victim support, but they were uninjured.

"Fire investigations are continuing this afternoon but at this stage the fire is not thought to be suspicious.

"If it was not for the smoke alarm there could have been fatal consequences and that is our message."

Mr Russell is the director of such controversial films as The Devils and Women in Love. His latest film Kings X The Life of Nikola Tesla was released last year.

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