Fire Rips Through Row Of Houses In Cowes Overnight

(Stock Image)

Firefighters remain at the scene of a major blaze after a fire tore through a row of terraced houses in Cowes overnight.

Crews from Newport, Cowes, Ryde, Sandown and Freshwater are tackling the incident at Ronsons Close, off Love Lane, where a fire that started in one property spread to neighbouring homes.

Residents in the area are being advised to keep their doors and windows closed as thick smoke continues to drift across the area.

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service was called just before 3:30am today (Friday), with six fire engines, an Aerial Ladder Platform and an Incident Command Support vehicle sent to the scene.

Additional resources from the mainland are also believed to be heading to the Isle of Wight to help maintain fire cover while crews remain committed to the incident.

It is not yet known whether anyone has been injured.

However, at least three properties appear to have been affected by fire and smoke damage.

Firefighters remain at the scene as efforts to bring the blaze under control continue.

Update (09:00): 

Firefighters have now brought the blaze under control after around 30 personnel battled the fire at its height.

The fire, which started in a mid-terraced property, spread through the roof and into the neighbouring homes on either side, causing significant damage to at least three properties.

Police are working alongside Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service to establish the cause of the fire.

Fire crews from Cosham and Southsea have been brought across from the mainland to maintain fire cover on the Isle of Wight, allowing local crews to stand down.

Firefighters remaining at the scene are continuing to damp down hotspots.

Engineers from SSEN are also on site to make the area safe, with excavation work taking place to access underground infrastructure.

The Isle of Wight Ambulance Service attended the incident in the early hours with several specialist resources, including an Operational Commander and a Critical Care Paramedic, but has since stood down.

Meanwhile, the Isle of Wight Council's Emergency Housing Team is supporting residents who have been displaced by the fire and is helping to arrange temporary accommodation.

It remains unclear whether anyone has been injured or how many people have been affected. Emergency services and utility crews are expected to remain at the scene for several hours while the area is made safe.