A serious incident at a block of flats in Lake has led to a residential street being cordoned off by the emergency services this afternoon (Monday).
Police, fire and ambulance crews are all in attendance at Flintcroft Gardens where the front of a ground floor flat has been taped off.
Outer cordons have also been established further down the street by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, with 1 appliance from Shanklin and an officer from Ryde on scene.
The incident began sometime around 13:00.
The Isle of Wight Ambulance Service has 2 paramedic crews, an operational commander, an incident commander and a tactical advisor on scene, indicating a more serious and complex medical response.
Some of the paramedics have been seen wearing additional personal protective equipment.
Emergency services have been seen coming and going from the nearby Porter Court sheltered housing complex also.
UPDATE @ 15:42 – Specialist resources from the mainland have been drafted in including 3 Hazardous Area Response Team units from South Central Ambulance Service.
The mainland paramedics are specially trained for more complex situations.
A Detection, Identification and Monitoring unit belonging to the fire service has also arrived in Lake, suggesting emergency services are dealing with an unknown substance.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus have entered the block of flats equipped with specialist tools. It is thought they are working to identify a substance inside.
It is unknown at this time if any persons have been injured.
UPDATE @ 16:45 – Paramedics from HART have now also entered the flat wearing breathing apparatus, accompanied by 2 firefighters.
Island Echo understands an unknown chemical discovered poses a risk.
A spokesperson for the Isle of Wight NHS Trust has said:
“The IW Ambulance service have attended an incident today at Flitcroft Gardens in Lake.
“Two double crews, one operational station commander, two tactical officers and the regional Hazardous Area Response Team were deployed”.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary and the Isle of Wight NHS Trust have been approached for a statement.
UPDATE @ 18:09 – Police have confirmed that there are concerns around potentially hazardous material inside the flat.
No further information has been released at this time, with further updates expected on Tuesday.
UPDATE TUESDAY – Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has confirmed that the body of a woman in her 30s was located inside the flat, but no hazardous materials were identified.
Read the latest at https://www.islandecho.co.uk/womans-body-found-in-flat-at-centre-of-chemical-scare-incident/.
