UPDATED WITH VIDEO: A car fire has spread to a church in Brading this morning (Thursday), prompting the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service to respond to the scene.
Fire crews from Ryde and Sandown are in attendance at the Wheatshef car park on New Road where a VW Lupo has caught fire, spreading to the kitchen area of the adjacent Brading Methodist Church.
Fire crews are dowsing the flames and ventilating the church building, which has been affected by the smoke. They were alerted to the incident at around 07:55.
Island Echo readers say the black billowing smoke could be seen from as far away as St Helens.
UPDATE @ 08:45 – The fire has now been extinguished by firefighters, who have prevented any further damage to the church.
Unfortunately, the church’s kitchen has been destroyed and other areas have suffered from smoke damage. Fencing has also been damaged.
Crews are now damping down the area and ventilating the building of any remaining smoke.
New Road remains open under Police direction.
UPDATE @ 08:58 – One fire appliance has now left the scene, with the remaining Sandown pump expected to return to station shortly.
New Road is now fully open with traffic flowing in both directions.
UPDATE @ 09:25 – The Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service have now left the scene.
