UPDATED: The Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service are attending a chimney fire at a property in Ventnor this afternoon (Wednesday).
2 appliances and aerial ladder platform (ALP) are currently on scene at Ocean View Road, where the road has been closed in both directions.
The service were alerted to the fire at around 12:15 with 1 pump from Shanklin initially mobilised. However, due to the difficult access and reports of smoke in the roof space, the assistance of a further pump from Newport and the ALP has been called upon.
Julian Fountaine, Tactical Advisor for IWFRS has told Island Echo:
“This incident is the result of a chimney fire; a chimney which may not have been swept for some time and certainly not prior to use.
”We have removed debris dropped from birds, such as twigs.
“We are urging Island residents, even if it isn’t a real open fire, to ensure chimneys are swept. The weather is getting colder and therefore you will be using your chimneys more.
“So just before you have the family round for Christmas and decide to put on a fire, ensure chimneys are swept, clean and safe for correct use”.
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The road is expected to remain closed for 2 hours.
Earlier in the week the fire service tackled a chimney fire at a property in Cranmore.
UPDATE @ 15:17 – Firefighters have successfully extinguished the fire and have limited the damage caused.
It has been revealed to Island Echo that the chimney has not been swept in some 5 years, reinforcing safety advice issued today that Island residents should ensure chimneys are swept prior to use. More safety information can be found at https://www.iow.gov.uk/Residents/Fire-and-Rescue-Service/Home-Fire-Safety-Advice-and-Education/In-the-Home2.
UPDATE @ 16:00 – Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service have mobilised an appliance from Hightown, Southampton to the Isle of Wight to provide fire cover.
UPDATE @ 16:20 – Ocean View Road is reported to have re-opened, allowing Southern Vectis buses and all traffic to return to a normal route.
