UPDATED THURSDAY: An 82-year-old man has died following a house fire in Ryde yesterday evening (Tuesday).
As IslandEcho reported last night, six people were treated by paramedics after a fire broke out in the kitchen of a semi-detached property in St Thomas’ Street, Ryde.
Five fire appliances from the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service raced to the scene shortly before 17:50 after receiving reports of a blaze at 37 St Thomas’ Street, near to the junction with the Esplanade. Crews from Ryde, Newport and Sandown attended the incident alongside the Incident Command Unit, Police and paramedics.
Eye witnesses have reported seeing two elderly people being carried by firefighters from the smoke-filled property, with oxygen masks in place to assist their breathing. The pair were laid down at the side of the road awaiting the ambulance crew’s arrival.
Four people in total were taken to St Mary’s Hospital in Newport including an 81-year-old woman, a 22-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman but unfortunately an elderly male – believed to be a grandfather – succumbed to injuries sustained and died in hospital yesterday evening.
The other three, who were treated for smoke inhalation, have been discharged from hospital, it has been confirmed.
The road was closed in both directions for over an hour. Police officers have remained outside the property overnight guarding the scene.
UPDATE @ 09:45 – Fire investigators have this morning arrived at the St Thomas’ Street home to conduct an investigation to establish the cause of the blaze.
Scientific investigators from Hampshire Constabulary are working alongside the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service to get a full picture of the incident. Any suspicious circumstances have been ruled out.
Anyone with information can contact Newport CID by phoning 101. Information can be given anonymously by phoning the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.
UPDATE THURSDAY: Hampshire Constabulary have today officially named Justin Martin Bell, 82, as the victim of the fatal blaze on Tuesday night.
His wife, Mary, was one of three people taken to hospital, it has been confirmed. As earlier reported, all three have been discharged from St Mary’s.
It has been revealed that a 26-year-old woman and a 54-year-old local woman were also treated at the scene after trying to assist in rescuing Mr and Mrs Bell from the burning property.
An inquest is due to be opened at the Isle of Wight’s Coroner’s court on Tuesday.
