EXTENT OF LAKE BLAZE REVEALED AFTER GAS CANISTER EXPLOSION

A new day has revealed the extent of a blaze that ripped through a garden and spread to a house and 2 vehicles in Lake yesterday evening (Thursday). Firefighters from Sandown, Shanklin, Ryde, Newport and Ventnor spent several hours tackling the fire and damping down the charred remains at Desmond Price Close, working into the night. In total 4 pumping appliances, an aerial ladder platform and a water carrier were mobilised to the incident, with firefighters using 2 main jets, 2 hose reel jets and breathing apparatus to tackle the blaze. It’s thought a fire developed within a shed at around 18:55, which then led to a gas canister exploding causing a much larger fire, as previously reported by Island Echo. The side of a Southern Housing Group-owned property has been significantly damaged, with a Vauxhall Astra Cabriolet and a former North of England Ambulance Service Ford Transit – being converted to a camper van – also ravaged by the fire. A large section of the garden has been destroyed with debris scattered around the local area. Island Echo is told 1 of the canisters flew into the rear garden of a neighbouring property. Engineers from SGN and Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks were called in to isolate the main supplies to the house last night as the fire had melted the utility boxes on the side of the house. The property has now been declared safe. Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service has returned to the scene this morning (Friday) to conduct further checks. A cause is yet to be established and, due to the extent of the blaze, may never be known. Thankfully, no injuries were sustained in last night’s blaze. The British Red Cross Emergency Fire Support Team was mobilised to provide welfare assistance to the occupier.