Firefighters from across the Isle of Wight are tackling a blaze at a block of flats in Lake this afternoon (Tuesday).
Crews from Newport, Ryde, Shanklin and Ventnor are on scene on Sandown Road – between Flitcroft Gardens and Cemetery Road – having been alerted to a first-floor flat ‘well alight’ at around 15:00.
At the scene, a blaze in the top floor of the block has broken out, with residents evacuated from their homes as a precaution.
Wearing breathing apparatus, firefighters are using hose reel jets to tackle the blaze, with positive pressure ventilation being used to rid the premises of lingering smoke.
Thankfully, Island Echo understands that no injuries have been sustained.
With water being extracted from nearby hydrants, nearby residents may experience low water pressure whilst the incident is dealt with.
Sandown Road remains open to traffic heading towards Sandown.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service have been contacted for a statement.
UPDATE @ 15:50 – Sandown Road has now been closed in both directions, with all traffic diverting via Green Lane and Whitecross Lane for the time being.
UPDATE @ 16:00 – Newport’s Aerial Ladder Platform is being utilised to check for any hotspots in the top floor of the block. The incident has been brought under control.
