UPDATED WITH VIDEO: Firefighters from Ryde and Shanklin are attending a house fire in St Helens this morning (Friday).
Two appliances from Ryde, one appliance from Shanklin and an aerial ladder appliance from Ryde are in attendance at a semi-detached property on Latimer Road.
Crews wearing breathing apparatus have entered the dwelling to tackle the fire and are checking for hotspots.
No one is thought to be trapped inside the property.
UPDATE @ 10:40 – The fire broke out at just before 09:45, sending plumes of black smoke into the air.
Island Echo understands the fire started to the rear of the property before spreading to the kitchen and to the fascia board of next door’s extension.
The homeowner escaped the blaze with two dogs and is being cared for by neighbours, some of which helped to tackle the flames by throwing buckets of water through a window. He believes embers from an open fire last night may have caused the fire.
Another dog from the neighbouring property has been taken to safety by firefighters after smoke engulfed nearby homes and gardens.
Thankfully, no one has been injured and the incident has been brought under control. Crews are ventilating the property.
Latimer Road has been closed in both directions and Police are in attendance.
UPDATE @ 11:20 – The fire has been extinguished and crews are making up.
One appliance from Shanklin has left the scene. The aerial ladder appliance from Ryde was not required.
Paramedics from the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service are attending to the homeowner for the effects of smoke inhalation.
UPDATE @ 13:00 – The Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service have now left the scene and the road has reopened.
The British Red Cross Emergency and Fire Support vehicle is assisting the homeowner, who did not need to be conveyed to hospital after being checked over by paramedics.
