Firefighters from several Isle of Wight stations are responding to a fire at Newport Police Station tonight (Thursday).
Appliances, including the Aerial Ladder Platform, have been mobilised to the High Street by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service.
Crews wearing breathing apparatus have entered the front office of the Island’s main police station – which also houses the only custody suite – to tackle the incident within.
The alarm was raised around 19:45.
UPDATE @ 20:50 – With the situation seemingly under control, positive pressure ventilation is now being used to rid any lingering smoke. Windows have been opened wide.
It appears the fire was located towards the front of the building on the ground floor.
The incident is now being scaled back.
It is currently unclear as to the extent of any fire or smoke damage, and the cause of tonight’s emergency response.
UPDATE @ 21:45 – The incident has been brought to a close.
Detainees held in custody were evacuated to a number of cell vans, but they are now back in the custody suite.
All officers have been able to return to the station too.
UPDATE FRIDAY – Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed that a faulty electrical fitting in a light was to blame for yesterday’s alert.
A spokesperson for the Force has said:
“A full evacuation of the building was undertaken, and the fire service attended alongside an electrical contractor, as is standard procedure.
“The contractor quickly resolved the fault, at which point it was deemed safe for everyone to return to the building.
“During this incident, policing business was able to continue as normal with no impact on our service to the public”.
