Fire engines from 4 different stations have responded to an out-of-control bonfire in Wootton this morning (Thursday) – just days after the country was told not to light any fires.
3 appliances from Ryde, Newport and Ventnor were mobilised to Lushington Hill at just before 07:45, to reports of a fire in woodland off the main Ryde to Newport road.
Smoke was seen billowing into the morning sky, with a strong smell evident across Wootton and Binstead.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service was taking no chances and mobilised a water carrier from Sandown to the scene also.
It has been confirmed that firefighters arrived on scene to determine that the fire, situated behind Lushington Hill Garden Centre, began as a bonfire.
The site often carries out controlled burns, but the incident comes just 6 days after millions of people across England and Wales received an Emergency Alert warning of a very high risk of wildfires nationally.
Residents, landowners and visitors were specifically told not to undertake activities that could start a fire, while Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service urged people not to light campfires or bonfires while conditions remain dry.
Fire crews continue to damp down the bonfire, 2 hours after first being called to the scene.
Lushington Hill remains open in both directions, but traffic is moving slowly as Police assist in directing motorists past the ongoing incident.
UPDATE @ 10:46 – Lushington Hill has now been closed in both directions.
Southern Vectis says all Route 9 buses are diverting via Staplers Road until further notice.
Route 4 buses will operate between Ryde and Wootton via New Road, St Edmunds Walk and Church Road, to turn around before operating back to Ryde. Route 4 buses are unable to serve East Cowes.
They probably thought that as it had “rained” yesterday, it was safe to start a bonfire.
I have a neighbour with a similar blancmange for brains.
The Numpty needs to be fined heavily.
I think some people were born stupid, hence their
behaviour.
I have to agree, he must of felt such a prize numpty when it got out of control.
Yes arrogance like that cannot go unpunished.
Do you share it between all the other names you keep calling yourself lately and your neighbour.
I take it that your post was directed at Enough/MrSmith/JS/ and not me as I only have the one!
there’s always one who either thinks that the rules don’t apply to them,… or that they know better…
Unfortunately, there seem to be a lot more than the odd one in the UK these days….
being a brain-dead total d1ck-head seems to be getting to epidemic proportions these days…
With that description they must be a push bike fan as well then.
I like that comment, bloody cyclists. They should charged road tax, due to the long line of vehicles behind them. They pedal along, in their misplaced smug self satisfaction of being so brilliant, maybe blissfully unaware that they are hated by 98% of the population.
Quite agree. There’s always at least one who think the rules don’t apply to them. They’re special. You see it with the entitled moron who grabs a communal parking space for his own, or moves his fence outwards a little. Vile.
I take it no fines imposed to stop this sort of behavior..
Moronic does not reasonably describe the actons of these people, they should at the very least receive the bill in full for the fire brigades time and effort and additionally receive an ASBO from the police for just being plain stupid..
Quite agree. Hit the numpty idiots where it hurts and make them pay. Perhaps they will think twice in the future – actually, they most probably won’t!!
It seems there is always someone who thinks they know better, and here is another example of another selfish idiot with no common sense.
This looks like it’s on commercial premises, in which case maybe the Health and Safety Executive should get engaged on the basis that an activity is being carried out that could endanger the safety of others. That would see a nice financial penalty for the operator.
What an utter plank. Should be made to pay for the Fire Service callouts!!!
Some idiot in Cross Street in Sandown had one the other night. Wasn’t going long before they were told by a few to put it out…although using different language than that. You just can’t make it up!
One cannot educate Numpties.
FACT!
Prosecute and charge the idiot for the Fire brigades time and name and shame him.
Fine them, they could’ve started another wild fire and damaged homes and lives from their utter stupidity and selfishness
I agree that anyone having a bonfire at the present time is an idiot and everyone is rightly up in arms about yet tonight, Thursday, Seaview carrys out a massive firework display. Where is the continuity.
The clown needs to be fined and given the bill for the emergency services.
Some people are just plain thick!
I would recommend people watch the film Idiocracy – many of the issues in this sci-fi film are slowly coming true, including big brother watching you, and an anti-intellectual society!
You have been warned.
Ihope they are arrested and have to attend court and ordered to publicly state their reason to putting our wonderful and overworked fore fighters to attend this incident.not only the firefighters but also the driver who now has ti fight the the now overcrowded roads.