As tweeted earlier, the Isle of Wight Fire Service were called to reports of a fire Puckaster Lane, Niton Undercliff this evening.
According to local resident Robert Jones, the fire broke out at Puckaster sometime around 5pm.
He tells OnTheWight it spread rapidly from the western wing to engulf the rest of the house. He adds that,
“Fire appliances were of course unable to get through Undercliff Drive, which may have contributed to the totality of the fire’s spread.”
Seven appliances in attendance
By 7.15pm the Fire Service confirmed seven appliances were in attendance and they are still in defence mode, ie fighting the fire from outside.
They confirm the roof of building has totally collapsed and that Police and the Ambulance service are also in attendance.
Local residents have reported the sky in the area as being red and that mains water pressure has gone to almost nothing as the fire service tackle the fire.
Update: Shane Thornton told OnTheWight,
“Fire appliances had difficulty getting down Puckaster Lane, I watched it try and get through, took 5-10 mins, firefighters used extinguishers while the driver tried to get past the pillars.”
Our sincerest thoughts are with all those affected by the fire.
Puckaster has been home to many friends over the years (and currently) and we know it’s close to the hearts of many in the South Wight.
Shane Thornton’s video
Shane Thornton’s photos
(Click to see larger versions)
Article edits: Updated time started from 6.30-7pm to 5pm. ‘Puckaster Lodge’ amended to ‘Puckaster’ following uncertainty of whether it was the Lodge (as first reported) or Close that was affected by the fire. It’s known locally as Puckaster, so we’ve left it as that.
Image: © Used with kind permission of Robert Jones and Shane Thornton Photography
