Firefighters are tackling a fire that has broken out within the wreck of the former paddle steamer Ryde Queen at Island Harbour this afternoon (Saturday).
2 appliances from Ryde and Newport have been mobilised to the harbour on the outskirts of Newport following reports of smoke issuing from the belly of what is left of the now rusty boat.
Hose reel jets are being used to tackle the blaze, with firefighters wearing breathing apparatus utilising nearby vessels to gain an elevated position.
The alarm was raised around 13:40.
The once grand ship has been laid up on the banks of the River Medina for decades, slowly becoming nothing more than a twisted wreck of metal and rotten wood.
It is unclear at this early stage what has started the fire.
UPDATE @ 14:37 – A third appliance – Newport’s retained pump – has arrived on scene, with its onboard Ultra High Pressure Lance (previously known as COBRA) deployed to cut through the side of the ship’s hull.
An Aerial Ladder Platform from Ryde has also arrived at Island Harbour and is being used to gain a bird’s eye view of the situation – and to assist with the delivery of water to the seat of the fire.
It has been confirmed to Island Echo that the fire is thought to have been started by works taking place on a neighbouring boat – understood to be grinding.
Sean Harrison MBE, Tactical Advisor, says the incident is being treated as hazardous due to the unknown nature of what is onboard the PS Ryde Queen.
Crews are expected to remain on scene for some time, damping down the area and ensuring the fire is fully extinguished.
UPDATE @ 16:00 – The fire has been extinguished and the incident is being scaled back.
Should of let it burn bloody eyesore now..
Yeah inside job no doubt they want it gone asap to get the flats finished Free labour
inside job? insurance job? what can I say island harbour
I doubt it’s an insurance job, Mind you, I think you can insurance anything but the LLoyds underwriters might wriggle out of that one pretty easily.
owned by island harbour another run down property like norris castle
Time to scrap it.