The Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service have been mobilised to a house fire in Bembridge this evening (Friday).
Mulitple fire appliances from various stations across the Island are responding to a property that is well alight on Heathfield Road.
Crews wearing breathing apparatus are tackling the blaze with hose reel and main jets.
Flames can be seen ripping through the roof of the property with smoke billowing into the sky.
The alarm was raised shortly before 20:15.
UPDATE @ 21:00 – Fire crews from Sandown, Ryde, Shanklin and Ventnor are now in attendance alongside the Incident Command Unit from Newport and 2 Senior Officers.
The fire has been contained to the 1 detached property.
Island Echo is told the fire may have started in a bin store to the side of the house.
UPDATE @ 21:40 – Station Manager Leighton Bryant has updated Island Echo on the incident.
Although he cannot confirm the exact cause of the blaze at this moment in time, it does appear to have begun outside of the house.
The fire has caused serious damage to the first floor and the roof space.
Crews are still on scene and breathing apparatus wearers remain committed, although there is not expected to be any further increase in the number of appliances on scene.
All persons have been accounted for and the home owner is being supported nearby.
UPDATE SATURDAY – Crews stood down from the incident by 01:30 this morning.
A total of 8 BA, 3 hose reels and 2 main jets were used to tackle the fire, alongside a number of small tools.
Although there is significant damage to the roof, fire spread has been largely avoided.
All those Fire Engines from over the Island but Bembridge Engine still in the Fire Station
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I wonder what Amanda said & then deleted
Needs local people to become retained fire fighters, same in a few places around the island.
Management need to police the staff they have got
Could be a bbq dumped in the bin, which was not fully out.
Inthe roof ?
If you read the story, they believe it started outside.