Overview
- A fire began in the roof of a property on Ronsons Close in Cowes and spread to neighbouring homes, with emergency calls made shortly before 3.30am on Friday.
- Around 30 firefighters from Newport, Cowes, Ryde, Sandown and Freshwater stations attended and used an aerial ladder platform, breathing apparatus and multiple hose reel jets to contain the blaze.
- By a 7.15am update crews had surrounded the fire and were damping down with roughly 30 personnel remaining on scene as heavy smoke affected the area.
- Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary confirmed one person was found dead inside the property, a 28‑year‑old man from Ventnor has been arrested on suspicion of murder and arson, and police are treating the blaze as suspicious.
- Officers have appealed for witnesses and for any doorbell, dashcam or CCTV footage, a file will be prepared for the coroner, and residents were warned to keep doors and windows closed while enquiries continue.