UPDATED: The Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service are attending a property fire in the village of Newchurch this morning (Sunday).
4 pumping appliances and an aerial ladder platform from a number of stations are on scene at High Street, close to the village pub and church.
Crews are tackling a blaze that has taken hold of the roof space of a terraced home. Multiple breathing apparatus teams have been committed.
The alarm was raised at just before 10:00.
The road is closed in both directions and will remain so for several hours. Motorists should avoid the area.
UPDATE @ 10:44 – Firefighters are continuing to battle to gain control of the fire, which has spread throughout the roof space.
The Incident Command Unit is now on scene acting as the central point for the coordination of the firefighting efforts. It joins appliances from Ryde, Shanklin and Newport.
UPDATE @ 11:02 – The aerial ladder platform is now being utilised to fight the fire from above – with significant progress being made.
Unfortunately, it appears the fire has spread to an adjoining property.
UPDATE @ 11:40 – Julian Fountaine, Incident Commander for the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed that 2 properties have been affected by fire, with smoke damage affecting a further 2 properties.
It has been confirmed that the first crews on scene were met with a fairly well developed fire located in the roof space and 1st floor of the property – 1 of 4 in the terrace row.
3 hose reels, 4 breathing apparatus and the aerial ladder platform have all been used this morning.
Now, having gained controlled of the fire, crews are focusing on preventing fire spread to the other 2 properties and are removing roof tiles to fully extinguish the blaze.
Thankfully, all persons are accounted for with no injuries to report. There are pets involved in the incident, but they are thought to be safe and well.
A total of 6 appliances and 2 specials are now on scene and are expected to remain so for at least another 2 to 3 hours before the incident is scaled back.
Engineers from SGN and SSEN are also in attendance and it is understood the British Red Cross Emergency and Fire Support vehicle has been called upon.
Island Roads have now put a hard road closure in place in both directions on The Shute and High Street.
UPDATE @ 12:15 – 3 appliances from Hampshire have been mobilised to the Island to provide fire cover at Ryde and Newport fire stations.
Thankfully, the ferries are running and in accordance to published timetables today.
UPDATE @ 16:50 – The incident has been scaled right back, with just 1 appliance remaining on scene.
The road has now re-opened in both directions.
