[button-green url=”#” target=”_self”]MAJOR INCIDENT STOOD DOWN[/button-green]
UPDATED: Firefighters are tonight in attendance at HMP Isle of Wight where a fire has broken out.
Seven pumping appliances and an aerial ladder platform have been mobilised to the Albany site off Parkhurst Road.
Two appliances from Newport, two from Ryde and one each from East Cowes, Cowes and Bembridge were deployed to the prison alongside an aerial ladder platform and the Incident Command Unit at 19:24. It follows reports of a fire in a corridor at House Unit 15, Alpha Wing.
Paramedics from the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service are attending the scene and have sent three ambulances and a rapid response paramedic into the grounds of Albany.
UPDATE @ 21:15 – One ambulance has left HMP Isle of Wight with a patient.
The Aerial Ladder Platform and one pumping appliance from Bembridge have also left the scene.
The fire, which took hold of the second and third floors of the wing, has been extinguished.
UPDATE @ 21:41 – In total 8 ambulances have been deployed to the incident – three currently remain inside the prison walls, one has left the scene and four more ambulances are currently in attendance at the main gate. A rapid response vehicle also remains inside the prison and a Doctor has arrived.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice has confirmed that prisoners are being treated for smoke inhalation.
UPDATE @ 22:04 – A major incident has been declared as a total of 15 prisoners are treated for smoke inhalation.
It is currently unknown how the fire started.
UPDATE @ 22:58 – A spokesperson for the Isle of Wight NHS Trust has confirmed that a major incident has been declared.
Two patients suffering from severe smoke inhalation have been moved from the prison to St Mary’s Hospital. A further patient is expected with a further 6 patients being assessed at the prison.
Whilst the incident is being dealt with Islanders are requested to only call 999 for life threatening emergencies.
The Isle of Wight Ambulance Service were alerted at 20:41 to the incident.
UPDATE @ 23:22 – Fire crews are now starting to leave the incident, nearly 4 hours after being alerted to the fire.
UPDATE @ 23:28 – A total of 87 prisoners have been moved to the prison’s gym as a result of the fire.
A forensic investigation into the cause of the blaze is set to begin on Thursday.
UPDATE @ 00:23 – Four patients have been transferred from HMP Isle of Wight Albany Prison to St Mary’s Hospital with severe smoke inhalation – some have already been discharged.
Six other patients have assessed, treated (oxygenated) and kept at the Prison, including two admitted to the Prison hospital facility.
The Major Incident has now been stood down.
More to follow
