NO SUSPECTS OR CAUSE FOUND IN BOWCOMBE BARN FIRE INVESTIGATION

The criminal investigation into a suspicious barn fire in Bowcombe has been filed by the Police, with no suspects or cause identified. Firefighters were mobilised to Bowcombe Farm Lane on the outskirts of Newport shortly after midnight on 1st December, following reports that a barn was well ablaze. The large structure – which measured 56x25m – quickly became engulfed in flames, with plumes of smoke filling the cold morning air. The barn was 90% destroyed by the fire, with the roof collapsing. A total of 10 breathing apparatus, 3 main jets, 3 hose reel jets, and 1 hydrant were used to tackle the blaze with firefighters present from Newport, Cowes, Ryde, Shanklin, Freshwater, Botley, Cowes, East Cowes, Ventnor, Sandown, Droxford, Hayling Island, Emsworth, Havant, Southsea, Cosham and St Mary’s. After battling the blaze for some 4 hours, the stop message was finally received at around 05:45. By lunchtime, just 12 hours after the fire broke out, Police confirmed they were treating the incident as arson. However, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has now said the investigation has been filed as no cause has been confirmed, nor any suspects identified.