UPDATED: LARGE FIELD FIRE SENDS PLUMES OF SMOKE ACROSS THE SOUTH WIGHT

Firefighters from Shanklin, East Cowes, Ventnor and Southsea have been mobilised to a large field fire in the rural South Wight this evening (Thursday). 3 pumping appliances and a water carrier are on scene near Chale Green, where a blaze has engulfed a farmer’s field off Appleford Road. A large area of land has already been scorched by the flames, but fire crews are working to prevent the fire spreading to adjoining fields. Firefighters have donned new wildfire tunics, which provide a lightweight option for those working in challenging, hot conditions. The incident began at around 19:10 with an initial response from Shanklin and East Cowes (based out of Newport temporarily), followed by the mobilisation of Southsea (covering the Island as a result of a flat fire in Ryde) and the water carrier from Ventnor, with Southsea and Ventnor arriving on scene at 19:35. No one is thought to have been injured and no machinery appears to be involved. Plumes of white smoke can be seen for miles around with the smoke drifting eastwards towards Shanklin. UPDATE @ 20:27 – A second appliance from Southsea has arrived on scene alongside a retained appliance from Cowes – taking the total number of fire engines in attendance to 5 plus the water carrier. The fire has been successfully contained and is dying down, but crews are still working hard to fully extinguish the blaze. Smoke is now enveloping The Bay Area, as well as Wroxall and Godshill. Sadly, it is understood the grass had been cut for hay earlier today.