Youths are suspected of starting a small riverbank fire in East Cowes this evening (Friday).
1 appliance from East Cowes was mobilised to Saunders Way at 20:15 following reports of a fire in the open.
Retained firefighters arrived on the banks of the River Medina to find undergrowth smouldering.
A group of youths were sighted running from scene.
A hose reel jet was used to extinguish the fire and damp down the surrounding area.
Tinder dry conditions and increasing temperatures across the Isle of Wight have increased the risk of fire, with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service having already dealt with a field fire near Binstead today.
If you see a fire in the countryside, contact the fire service immediately on 999. Do not attempt to tackle fires that cannot be put out with a bucket of water.
Remember, do not discard cigarettes or other smoking materials in the countryside. It is also important to clear away bottles, glasses and any broken glass to avoid them magnifying the sun and starting a fire.
Always take extra care if using a barbecue and only light fires or BBQs in designated areas. Never leave a campfire or BBQ unattended and extinguish them properly after you have finished using them.
What a bunch of morons. Thats why east cowes is known as monkey town to island locals…..always been a bit strange, for the past 3/4 hundred years, six toes ect.
Of course there are no morons in any other areas of the island are there? Moronic comment.
Seriously? Have you been to Ryde or Shanklin lately? The whole island is on the decline but East Cowes is nowhere near the worst of it. At the very least there’s a notable lack of stabbings/murders.
On Monday evening we have “kids smoking cannabis in bin-store prompts fire service call-out” in Monks Walk – and “were swiftly told to be on their way.”
I wonder where they now go for their evening smoke, and carelessly drop still-lit joints and can’t find them in the undergrowth – until it is too late.
That’s East Cowes for you
Good advice here about prevention of fires, but remember this: if you see a disaster waiting to happen, you see people start a fire, and you actually film those people fleeing the scene of alleged crime that nearly killed two pensioners. Don’t bother reporting it, because the Police will say it’s not suspicious. Flats and Council Tax are all. Values and safety mean nothing. God bless our fire brigades.
East Cowes is unfortunately full of idiotic youths
As I have stated before’wait’ until the schools Summer vacation is here.
Best check your home insurance policies are up to date
So are most parts of the island.
should have put the hoses on the youths and soaked them.
I agree but the some human rights lawyer would then enable them to sue the underpaid and under valued firefighters for trauma.
Shouldn’t the Headline read: Idiotic youths start riverbank fire in East Cowes
Come on Island Echo, say it like it is!!
IE…Why do you keep feeling the need to keep deleating my post ?
This news forum is getting very boring and very predictable.
LOCK THEM UP AND THROW AWAY THE KEYS…bla bla bla….
(no offence attended)…..ssshhhhh.