FIREFIGHTERS from Ryde, Newport and Shanklin have this afternoon been tackling a serious flat fire in Ryde.
Crews were called to Marymead Close shortly after 13:00 to reports of a flat on fire. Upon arrival it was discovered that the blaze was spreading quickly in the blustery wind and was starting to engulf neighbouring properties. At 13:30 the roof of the second-floor flat had collapsed and the property was gutted.
Firefighters using breathing apparatus entered the building to tackle the blaze, while crews using jets tackled from the ground and the skylift.
Police evacuated all nearby properties including the 11 other flats in the block. The Isle of Wight Ambulance Service were on scene to provide support for those who had been evacuated, as well as the British Red Cross.
5 pumping appliances, the Bronto skylift and the Incident Command Unit from the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service were all in attendance.
A concerned neighbour, who’s property backs onto the effected flat said: “I didn’t even know about the fire until my neighbour suggested I move my car. All we could see was smoke coming from the roof.”
