Gosport fires: Hampshire firefighters tackle three blazes that "may have been intentionally set"

The three fires all took place in Gosport between 1am and 2am on Wednesday, June 12. The first two incidents were reported at Redhouse Park Gardens where a fence panel was ablaze before moving on to another fire on the same street where a sofa had been ignited. The final fire, as previously reported by The News, was in two garden sheds in Turner Avenue.

A Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue spokesperson said: “At 1.15am firefighters were dispatched to tackle a blaze at Redhouse Park Gardens involving a wooden fence panel, which had spread to a plastic garden container. Using a hose reel jet, the crew successfully extinguished the fire. The scene was cleared by 1:45am.

“Shortly before 2am, firefighters were called to another fire on the same road. This incident involved a sofa in the front garden of a property, which had ignited and spread to three fence panels. Firefighters again used a hose reel jet to extinguish the blaze, preventing it from spreading to the house.

Portsmouth fire crews were also then called out to help with an incident in Turner Avenue around the same time. The Hampshire Fire spokesperson said: “Around 1.45am this morning, Portsmouth firefighters responded to a significant fire involving two garden sheds and multiple fence panels.

“Firefighters, equipped with breathing apparatus, used hose reels and jets to control and extinguish the fire promptly. Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire may have been intentionally set. The police have been notified and are conducting an inquiry to determine the cause of the incident.”

Hampshire fire have confirmed that home safety visits will take place today at the surrounding properties. The police have been approached for comment.