An arson investigation has been launched by Police after a woman was injured in a garage fire in Ventnor, with officers probing whether the fire was started with intent to endanger life.
Emergency services rushed to an address on Spring Gardens shortly before 19:30 yesterday evening (Saturday) following reports of a person inside a garage, which was on fire.
1 woman was passed into the care of paramedics and treated for smoke inhalation after being rescued by Police and fire crews from Shanklin, Sandown and Ryde.
It was confirmed at the scene last night that firefighters were working with Police to determine the full circumstances of the incident. Now, Island Echo can reveal that Police are thought to be treating the incident as arson with intent to endanger life – an extremely serious offence which carriers a maximum term of life imprisonment.
It’s known that the fire was contained to a small area and started in a bag of general garden waste. The detached garage quickly filled with smoke.
Last night Police were searching for a local male wanted in connection with the incident. It’s unknown at this time if any arrests have been made.
Officers remain on scene at Spring Gardens, off Madeira Vale, and are likely to be there for most of the day.
A cordon has been erected around the detached garden and door to door enquiries are being carried out.
Hampshire Constabulary has been approached for a statement.
What sort of garden waste