Firefighters are responding to a serious house fire in Cowes this morning (Tuesday).
Black smoke can be seen billowing from a residential property in the area of Arctic Road in the town, with reports of ‘explosions’ being heard.
Several appliances and an Incident Command Unit from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service – including 1 from Newport, 1 from Cowes and 1 from Ryde – are responding to the scene, alongside the Incident Command Unit.
Island Echo is told the incident involves a terraced property with the fire irst sighted shortly before 11:06.
UPDATE @ 11:20 – It has been confirmed that a fire has broken out on the ground floor at the front of a residential property.
4 fire appliances are now on scene, with firefighters in breathing apparatus working to contain and extinguish the blaze.
UPDATE @ 11:45 – The blaze has been brought under control with main jets and hose reels being utilised.
Positive Pressure Ventilation is being used to rid smoke from neighbouring properties, with a Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC) also in operation.
2 ambulances are on scene with paramedics tending to the occupants of the property, who have escaped any serious injury.
An Isle of Wight Ambulance Service Incident Commander is also present.
UPDATE @ 12:15 – The fire has been brought largely under control, although smoke and steam is still evidently escaping from the ground floor bay window of the property.
Positive Pressure Ventilation remains in use to assist in ridding the house and neighbouring properties of smoke.
Officers from Hampshire Constabulary have now also arrived on scene at Arctic Road.
UPDATE @ 12:34 – Group Manager Justin Harden has told Island Echo that the property has extensive damage to the ground and first floors – both from significant flames and smoke damage. The neighbouring properties on either side have escaped damage, although a small amount of smoke has been found within them.
It is believed that the fire started in the living room area of the family home, although the exact cause of ignition is still unknown. A fire investigator has arrived on scene and is conducting an initial review of the building.
The occupants of the house, 2 adults in their 20s and an adult in their 60s, are being taken to St Mary’s Hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.
Engineers from Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks have arrived to isolate the properties electricity supply. Members of the British Red Cross have also attended the scene to support firefighters and the families involved in the incident.
Hope everyone is ok. Well done to the fire service again..
Spot the yellow hat!
Why has everything been catching fire lately…
Well done to emergency service’s, looks like just enough room for the fire engine to get there,please be careful how you park.
What’s the difference in the helmet colours & black stripes? Seems to be loads of white ones, are the whites Chiefs & yellows Indians?
The white ones are imperial storm troopers .
Plain yellow helmets are firefighters, Yellow with 2 stirps are crew managers, White helmets are watch mangers and the thicker the stripe on the white helmets the higher the rank they are