UPDATED: A teenager has been seriously injured as a result of a boat fire at Cowes Yacht Haven this morning (Monday).
Firefighters from Newport and Cowes are currently on scene off the High Street where they are tackling a fire on board a yacht. The vessel, which has been severely damaged, is stored out of the water for the winter season.
The Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service were alerted to the incident at around 00:35 with 2 pumps mobilised by Hampshire fire control.
Paramedics from the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service have also responded to the incident and have conveyed 1 casaulty to St Mary’s Hospital in Newport. The extent and nature of their injuries is currently unknown.
A number of Police officers are present in Cowes, although it is unclear at this early hour if the fire is being treated as suspicious.
UPDATE @ 02:25 – Police have established a cordon around the scene as investigations get underway.
Officers are expected to remain in Cowes throughout the night.
The teen is thought to have sustained serious burn injuries.
UPDATE @ 06:40 – The local teenage boy has been flown to a specialist burns and plastic surgery centre in Swansea, Wales this morning.
A Coastguard helicopter from St Athan appears to have taken off from South Wales at 03:45 before flying to the Isle of Wight, arriving at the St Mary’s helipad at around 04:30.
In the last 10 minutes the helicopter has touched down at Morriston Hospital, Swansea. The long distance medivac indicates the severity of the teenager’s injuries.
Police are yet to comment on the circumstances of the early hours fire and how the youngster’s burns have been caused.
Cowes Yacht Haven remains cordoned off this morning.
UPDATE @ 13:58 – Investigations by Police and fire service examiners are underway in Cowes today.
Hampshire Constabulary say the fire is being treated as unexplained at this time.