UPDATED WITH VIDEO: Residents from a block of flats in Ventnor Town are currently being rescued from the roof of the building following a ground floor blaze.
Three appliances from the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service from Sandown, Shanklin and Newport plus an aerial appliance are currently in attendance at the incident in Ventnor High Street. Police and multiple ambulance crews are also at the scene as well as the Incident Command Unit from Newport.
Emergency services were alerted to five people trapped inside the block of flats shortly before 22:45 tonight, as first reported by Island Echo.
UPDATE @ 00:25 – The rescue operation to extract residents from the roof of the building is underway with the first casualty, an elderly woman, safely brought to the ground by the Bronto Skylift.
The operation continues, although all 5 people are believed to have been accounted for.
UPDATE @ 00:30 – Two people, a man and a woman, plus a dog have all been rescued from the roof of the High Street terraced building, that has become smoke logged throughout.
A further three people have been rescued by firefighters using ladders at the rear of the property, which is located at ‘Randall’s archway’.
The British Red Cross Fire Incident Support Unit is on scene providing support and shelter for all affected by the fire, which has been successfully extinguished however has damaged a number of dwellings.
UPDATE @ 01:00 – The flat block is being ventilated by fire crews as the incident draws to a close.
The Bronto Skylift from Newport Fire Station has left the incident, however paramedics remain checking over all of those rescued in tonight’s operation.
No one is believed to have been injured.
UPDATE THURSDAY: An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the blaze.
Initial enquiries have prompted Police to appeal for information amid fears the fire was started deliberately.
Anyone who may have any information that could assist with the investigation is asked to contact the Isle of Wight Investigation Team at Newport Police Station by phoning 101 quoting crime ref 44140179072. Information can be given anonymously by calling the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.
