Police are continuing their efforts to establish the cause of a major fire that saw residents of a block of flats in Ryde evacuated yesterday afternoon (Saturday).
At around 13:00, members of the public shopping on Ryde High Street reported hearing 2 loud bangs, followed by windows and debris falling from a block of flats on Garfield Road, as previously reported by Island Echo.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service received multiple 999 calls and mobilised fire appliances from Newport, Shanklin, Cowes, Sandown, Ventnor and Ryde, alongside the aerial ladder platform (ALP).
Firefighters remained at the scene for around 4 hours, working to extinguish the blaze and damp down hotspots.
Crews operating from the ALP used a rubbish hook to pull apart sections of the roof, allowing smoke to escape and water to reach areas still affected by the fire.
Shortly after arriving, firefighters requested police assistance to support public safety measures and help establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Fortunately, all residents of Solent House, along with their pets, escaped unharmed and were accounted for shortly after the fire broke out.
Members of the public reported that a passerby equipped with a ladder had helped people evacuate the building.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has today confirmed that the incident remains under investigation, with no further updates available at this stage.
With the fire-damaged building cordoned off following a handover from the fire service late yesterday afternoon, police officers remain at the scene today as investigations continue.
