Firefighters are tackling a fire at a commercial property at the top of Watch House Lane in Cowes this morning (Saturday).
5 appliances from Newport, Cowes, East Cowes and Ryde are on scene in the High Street having been called to reports of a kitchen fire at 09:39.
The Incident Command Unit from Newport is also in attendance alongside 2 duty officers.
Breathing apparatus is being used to enter the building, with black smoke seen billowing from afar.
UPDATE @ 10:25 – The fire has partially spread to the roof space of the building, which is situated on the corner of Watch House Lane and High Street/Bath Road.
The fire is largely under control and is being ventilated through the roof.
Over 25 firefighters are now involved in tackling the blaze with main jets being used to douse the rooftops from the outside to keep them cool.
Hydrants are being utilised which may lead to low pressure or brown water for residents in Cowes.
Island Echo is told the fire developed in a fryer in the rear kitchen of a commercial building.
Police and paramedics are assisting their fire service colleagues and cordons have been erected in the immediate vicinity.
It has been confirmed that all persons have been safety evacuated from the building.
UPDATE @ 11:20 – Incident Commander Chris Thearle has confirmed that the fire has been now been extinguished, with crews damping down.
The fire started in a deep fat fryer and quickly spread through the kitchen and upwards into a first floor room.
Crews sectorised the fire and worked hard to contain and extinguish the blaze.
SM Thearle has praised the efforts of his firefighters for their quick actions and hard work to contain the situation.
The incident is now being scaled back and crews are expected to remain on scene for the next hour or so.
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I enjoy your up to date news, having moved here last year, is it normal for a Fire Brigade to have so many Chiefs? Your photos always seem to show lots in white helmets
More chiefs than Indians
Trevor Lacey everyone from watch manager up to the chief fire officer have white helmets. Watch managers can still ride in charge of a pump so in theory at this job you could have 5 watch managers plus then add in a couple of the duty officers as well. At an incident, specific roles such as incident commander are designated by surcoats/tabards so it’s easy to identify who is in charge
Thankyou David, I think I understand, I hope everyone is safe, why are some Managers some Officers & some Commanders?
It’s rank –
Firefighter
Crew Manager
Watch Manager
Station manager (Station Commander)
Ext ext
Thankyou Bill, very much appreciated, although being ex RAF I don’t see Manager as a rank! Seems the Fire Brigade may have an identity crisis!
Roger that, sir! As an ex WREN myself, I consider the rank of commander much more seemly for a Brigade. Still, not woke, is it though..? Quietly puking.
They just love having something to do other than playing table tennis or polishing their engines.
Well done IOW emergency services, what a cracking team you prove to be time and time again
I hope this isn’t watch barn cafe/restaurant.
Whoever it is it’s somebody’s livelihood. Having been closed for so long this is all they need !!
COMING UP NEXT …….
Crashed Cars On Fire. Following news of cars crashing and bursting into flames on the Isle of Wight
Always there when you need them day or night. Hero’s well done to the brigade
I served in Her Majesty’s Royal Navy and I consider firemen, and women, the bravest souls in the country. They do not know what tragedy, or trifle, they shall encounter upon turning to for a watch. In the Mob we had a fair idea… I was happy to know while abroad that people like the Fire Brigade and Police Force were keeping honest Brits safe, including my family.
I have heard a member of the public got the persons out, what do we know about this?