The Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service have been called to a serious property fire on the outskirts of Newport this afternoon (Saturday).
Several appliances are on scene at Blackwater Hollow at the junction with Sandy Lane.
Island Echo has been told that the incident is being treated as ‘persons reported’ – meaning at least 1 person is feared trapped inside the property.
The road has been closed in both directions.
The alarm was raised sometime around 17:15.
UPDATE @ 17:45 – 3 appliances from Newport, Shanklin and Cowes are on scene with crews using a mix of main jets and hose reels to tackle the fire.
The Isle of Wight Ambulance Service have dispatched an ambulance crew and an officer to the incident and Police are also attending.
One witness has described seeing smoke issuing out of the chimney, followed by flames. They heard an alarm sounding and tried to rouse anyone inside, as well as alerting the emergency services to the developing fire.
The homeowners are understood to have now arrived at the fire ground but it is yet to be confirmed whether or not all persons have been accounted for.
UPDATE @ 18:00 – Firefighters have now got a firm hold of the blaze, which appears to be centred around the rear of the property.
The Incident Command Unit from Newport has arrived on scene to help coordinate and monitor the response to the incident on the ground.
Further appliances from Ryde and Ventnor have also joined the firefighting efforts, taking the total number of appliances to 5.
UPDATE @ 18:20 – All persons are understood to now be accounted for and the incident is winding down.
The windows of the detached home have been opened to help ventilate.
Blackwater Hollow is closed in both directions between Highwood Lane, Rookley and Blackwater Junction (Near Moles Country Stores) and is likely to remain so for a couple of hours.
UPDATE @ 18:50 – The fire has been fully extinguished and it has been confirmed that no one has been injured.
The fire started in an outbuilding before spreading to the ground floor of the house. The cause is unknown at this time.
The Officer in Command Station Manager James Lucy has scaled back the incident.
Is it the big White House opposite the new Leslies garage?
It looks like the old station house at Blackwater.
Yes
Yes it is
So glad mo one was injured