UPDATED AT 14:00 – EMERGENCY services are currently attending a multi-storey house fire in Central Way, Sandown that has left a family homeless this morning.
Three pumping appliances from Newport, Shanklin and Sandown are currently at the two storey semi-detached property alongside paramedics from the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service and officers from Hampshire Constabulary.
The blaze has ripped through the ground and first floors of the house and the small loft space. The house has been completely gutted.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus (BA) are continuing to enter the property to extinguish embers that are still alight. Crews are removing the wooden fascia from the outside of the now gutted property to reduce any further fire risk.
The alarm was raised shortly after 03:10 this morning by the occupants of the property; Norman and Carol Hiles plus their two children, Sarah and Daniel.
mum, dad and two teenage children.
The home owners believe it could have been the boiler exploding that caused the blaze, however Station Manager Grundy explained to Island Echo that investigations are still under way into the cause.
Thankfully, the family escaped unharmed and Ambulance crews were stood down.
A kind neighbour has offered accommodation for the unfortunate four overnight.
The owners of the adjoining property are unaware of the situation this morning as they remain on holiday today, however a relative is attempting to contact the couple.
UPDATE AT 05:00 – The blaze has been extinguished and firefighters have now withdrawn from inside the property.
UPDATED AT 14:00 – Nearby Fairway Holiday Park have offered the Hiles family accommodation during this difficult period. Local businesses are also support the family in this time of need by donating items of clothing, food and other possessions which were originally lost in the blaze this morning.
Fire officers are at the scene this afternoon to continue their investigations into the cause of the blaze.
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