Firefighters tackle pub kitchen fire on high street

Fire crews have been battling a fire in a pub kitchen on the Isle of Wight.

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service was called to the incident at gastropub The Pier View on the High Street in Cowes on Monday. Black smoke was seen rising from a building in the area.

Crew members could be seen emerging with rescued animals, including two cats and a guinea pig, as well as oxygen tanks on their backs.

Firefighters have been using a crane to monitor the situation from above. At least three fire engines are at the scene.

"Crews from Newport, Ryde, Shanklin and East Cowes were alerted at around midday, arriving on the scene to find smoke issuing from the building," the fire service said in a statement.

The site has been cordoned off and people have been asked to avoid the area to allow access for emergency vehicles.

Several stores in the vicinity have had to close, including M&S.

The Butcher's Shop next door said the fire had spread to its premises.

Behind a crowd of onlookers a fire hydrant was activated, first spraying water onto the brick pavement and then connecting to a hose to support firefighters' efforts.

Additional reporting by Rufus Pickles, Local Democracy Reporting Service