UPDATED: Police are this morning (Sunday) investigating a suspicious campervan blaze on a residential street in Newport.
At just before 01:20 the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service were alerted to a vehicle fire on Cypress Road near to the junction with Mount Pleasant Road, where fire crews soon discovered a VW camper to be engulfed by flames.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used hose reels to extinguish the fire, which was brought under control by 02:00.
The video above, partially captured by an Island Echo reader, shows the dramatic moment a suspected cylinder inside the vehicle exploded, sending flames shooting into the air.
Hampshire Constabulary have launched an investigation into the incident. They are also looking into the break-in of another campervan located just 20 metres down the road.
UPDATE @ 09:55 – Officers are further probing several instances of criminal damage to parked cars in roads surrounding Cypress Road.
At least 4 cars and a van have had their windows smashed overnight.
An Island Echo reader is said to have witnessed 2 men commit the act.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting crime reference number 44160400067. Information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
