Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service is rushing to a tractor and barn fire in Ryde this lunchtime (Bank Holiday Monday).
Fire crews from across the Island are responding to the scene at Green Lane Farm on Ashey Road where it is understood a barn containing hay or straw is well alight.
Smoke can be seen billowing into the skies from miles around as the fire develops.
Residents may experience a lack or clouding of their water supplies as a result of the fire service using fire hydrants to dowse the flames.
UPDATE @ 12:05 – Green Lane and Ashey Road – between Smallbrook Roundabout and East Ashey Lane – have both been closed to traffic while crews deal with the blaze.
Other fire resources from around the Island are now responding to the incident.
In a separate incident, there has been a minor road traffic collision on Ashey Road involving a car towing a boat trailer.
UPDATE @ 12:20 – At least 6 fire appliances are now tackling the blaze. Crews from Ryde, Sandown, Cowes, Ventnor, Freshwater, Newport and East Cowes are on scene and further resources are expected to arrive in due course.
The fire service’s Incident Support Unit from East Cowes has arrived with extra hoses and crews are setting up a water dam in the farmyard to ensure supply is kept available.
A water carrier from Ventnor has also arrived at the scene along with the Incident Command Unit from Newport.
UPDATE @ 12:40 – A water carrier from Freshwater has now joined crews at Ryde in the hope to bring the fire under control.
Main delivery hoses are being utilised to bring water from fire hydrants at Smallbrook Roundabout to keep up with the demand for water.
Both Freshwater’s and Ventnor’s Water Carriers are shuttling between the fire hydrant to the dam erected on the fire ground.
UPDATE @ 13:00 – Extra resources are being sent over from the mainland to maintain a safe fire cover on the Island with at least 2 fire appliances seen docking the 13:00 ferry from Southampton.
Firefighters have also been brought to the Island via hovercraft to man the standby appliances stationed at Ryde and Sandown Fire Stations.
A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary has said:
“We were called at 11.48am to a report of a barn on fire on Ashey Road.
“We are in attendance to assist Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service however the fire is not being treated as suspicious at this time.
The spokesperson goes on to say they were called to the collision on Ashey Road near the fire ground:
“We were called at 12.16 to a report of a collision involving a grey Volkswagen Golf and a silver Ford Focus at the junction of Ashey Road and Deacons Lane.
“Officers are currently at the scene.
“No injuries have been reported at this time.”
UPDATE @ 13:45 – Fire crews continue to bring the fire under control with 4 appliances now being manned on the Isle of Wight from neighbouring Hampshire fire stations.
Ashey Road and Green Lane are both expected to remain closed for several hours.
A spokesperson for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed there have been no casualties:
“Vehicles from Newport, Cowes, East Cowes, Ryde, Sandown, Ventnor and Freshwater are currently in attendance at the fire on Ashey Road.
“Road closures are in place to allow crews access to tackle the blaze.
“Fortunately there are no casualties involved.”
UPDATE @ 14:08 – Hampshire Constabulary has announced further road closures in relation to the incident which remains ongoing.
Road closures are in place on Green Lane, East Ashey Lane, Deacons Lane and Smallbrook Lane. There is no entry through the closure and there is no access through the area.
Meanwhile, residents nearby are asked to ensure their windows and doors are closed to prevent any unnecessary smoke inhalation.
UPDATE @ 19:59 – A number of crews remain on scene although many have now stood down with the fire under control.
25 lengths of hose, 2 monitor jets, environmental protection equipment and the fireground lighting rig from the Incident Support Unit have all been put to use alongside each of the 6 appliances standard equipment.
A specialist telehandler from the mainland travelled to the Island earlier by low loader to assist crews in moving debris and any remaining hay and straw bales.
It’s expected that further dampening down will take place as firefighters continue to check for hot spots and any further seats of fire.
UPDATE TUESDAY – Crews remain on scene more than 20 hours after the fire broke out. Read more at https://www.islandecho.co.uk/fire-crews-continue-to-tackle-barn-blaze-after-almost-24-hours/.
Good to see the collaboration with Hampshire coming into full use and being used
Well done to all services involved stopped fire spreading to other buildings
Not the first time this farm has going up becomes questionable
Maybe another farmer who doesn’t want to leave the land he or she has tended for decades…? Never mind. The suits have ways.