The Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service are tackling a barn fire at Upton on the outskirts of Ryde this afternoon (Thursday).
The barn, which is full of hay bales, is well alight.
2 appliances are already on scene with additional resources en-route including an appliance from Sandown and the Incident Support Unit from East Cowes.
UPDATE @ 15:30 – Firefighters are battling to dowse the flames but the blaze has already spread to an adjoining building.
A 4th pumping appliance from Newport is now on scene alongside duty officers and Police.
Gatehouse Road has been closed to all traffic.
UPDATE @ 16:00 – A total of 4 pumping appliances, 2 water carriers, the Incident Support Unit and the Incident Command Unit are working the incident.
Firefighters continue to tackle the fire, which has spread to 3 barns. The roof of the barns are likely to contain asbestos.
It has been confirmed that the fire service were called at around 15:00 to multiple 999 calls reporting an agricultural barn well alight
Speaking on the fire ground, Tactical Advisor Tim Spencer-Peet has told Island Echo:
“We are working with our partner agencies such as the Environment Agency, Emergency Planning and the Police to ensure longer term measures are in place for public safety and welfare.
“The cause of the fire is unknown at this time but investigations are underway”.
Station manager Chris Thearle has taken control as Incident Commander.
UPDATE @ 17:13 – The incident continues more than 2 hours after the first appliances arrived on scene.
A total of 800 bales are understood to be involved across 3 barns.
Machinery is now being used to pull the hay out of the barns with firefighters using tools and water jets to spread and damp down the smouldering material.
1 fire engine from Beaulieu is standing by at Freshwater Fire Station and 1 fire engine from Southsea has been stationed at Ryde as part of contingency plans. A further 3 appliances are available across the Island, according to fire officers.
Crews are expected to remain at Great Upton Farm for several hours.
The road remains closed.
UPDATE @ 17:50 – 2 teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of arson, according to Police. Read more on this at https://www.islandecho.co.uk/2-teens-arrested-on-suspicion-of-arson-as-barn-destroyed-by-fire/.
UPDATE @ 20:00 – The incident is now being scaled back with relief appliances on scene taking over from Ryde and Newport’s day crews.
Ventnor’s water carrier is understood to have returned to station and other resources are slowly being stood down.
Crews are expected to remain on scene throughout this evening, damping down the area and tackling any flareups.
UPDATE @ 23:30 – Newport and Ryde fire stations have both handed the incident over to Cowes and East Cowes as the fire continues to burn well into the night.
Deacons Lane also closed.
Is there anything that us locals can do to help?
All that work gone up in smoke what is going through there brains to do such a thing and all the fireman called out to a senseless idiotic thing to do
How awful. Think of the poor people who were counting on that hay. I see they needed support from the mainland. One more reason to have a fixed link and quick emergency access. Could have been a lot worse. Hope no one was hurt.
no we dont need a fixed link .What we need is more fire men and engines stationed on the island