Man charged with arson and weapons offence on Isle of Wight

As previously reported, a man in his 20s was arrested on Ryde Esplanade and taken into custody after a house fire on Bettesworth Road in the Haylands area.

It has now been confirmed that Damon Wilkins, 26, of Bettesworth Road, has been charged with arson with intent to endanger life, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, and common assault of an emergency worker.

He has been remanded in custody to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court tomorrow (Monday, September 23).

The affected property on Bettesworth Road in Ryde (Image: IWCP)

Read more:

• Overnight house fire believed to have been started 'deliberately'
•  Man 'with knife' arrested on Esplanade after 'deliberate' house fire

Firefighters were alerted to reports of the blaze at around 1am on Saturday, and crews from Newport and Ryde arrived to find flames and smoke coming from the kitchen at the rear of the property.

Crews wore breathing apparatus and were able to put out the blaze using hose reel jets.

A Hampshire and IW Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson previously told the County Press: "Police were in attendance as it is believed the fire was set deliberately." 

A police spokesperson said no one was injured in the fire.

Fire damage visible at the rear of the house (Image: IWCP)