A person has died and a 28-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and arson after a devastating house fire in Cowes in the early hours of this morning (Friday).
Emergency services were called to Ronsons Close at around 03:15, with crews from Cowes, Newport, Ryde, Sandown and Freshwater responding to reports of a residential fire.
The blaze is understood to have started in the roof of a mid-terraced property before rapidly taking hold and spreading to the adjoining homes on either side.
Around 30 firefighters were on scene at the height of the incident. Wearing breathing apparatus and using hose reel jets, crews worked for several hours to bring the fire under control at around 07:00.
Despite the efforts of emergency responders, one person sadly died. Formal identification has yet to take place, although next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers. A file will be prepared for the Coroner.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has confirmed the cause of the fire is now being treated as suspicious.
A joint investigation involving Police and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service is underway.
A 28-year-old man from Ventnor has been arrested on suspicion of murder and arson with intent to endanger life. He remains in police custody.
Police are now appealing for witnesses or anyone with doorbell, dashcam or CCTV footage from the area around the time of the incident to come forward.
Officers attended alongside colleagues from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service and the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service, with neighbouring properties evacuated as a precaution while the blaze was brought under control.
To maintain fire cover across the Isle of Wight, fire appliances from Cosham and Southsea were brought over from the mainland to relieve local crews committed to the incident. Firefighters remaining at the scene are continuing damping-down operations and checking for hotspots.
Engineers from SSEN are also in attendance, working to make the area safe. Excavators are being used to access underground infrastructure as part of the ongoing operation.
The Isle of Wight Ambulance Service mobilised several resources in the early hours, including an Operational Commander and a Critical Care Paramedic. Those resources have since stood down.
An investigation has been launched and a 28-year-old man from Ventnor has been arrested on suspicion of murder and arson with intent to endanger life. He remains in custody at the current time.
A Police spokesperson has said:
“We are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time, or has doorbell, dashcam, or CCTV footage that they believe could assist with our investigation to come forward.
“You can do this by calling 101, or by reporting online via the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary website, quoting incident number 44260302232: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/
“You can also call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or by visiting their website, below: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/
“There will be increased Police presence in the area in the coming days whilst initial enquiries are conducted. Anyone with any concerns can speak to a uniformed officer.
“The thoughts of everyone at Island Echo are with the deceased’s family and loved ones, as well as all those affected by this tragic incident.
Weren’t there any fire check walls in the roofs between the properties? A condition usually required by insurance companies to get cover