'Substantial clean up' for fire-stricken Cowes boat yard

It is hoped that the Medina Village will reopen on Monday next week.

Medina Yard fire damage. Credit: @BenBoard3569/Twitter

The owners of Medina Yard, the Harrison Trust, have been liaising with businesses and the Isle of Wight Council, following the fire that swept through a series of old industrial and storage units on the site.

The fire, which broke out on Monday in a car repair workshop, destroyed two classic yachts at the Moreton Marine premises – the Mylne yacht Fedoa and the Sibbick yacht Witch.

Other boats lost in the blaze include Vere – one of the Dunkirk Little Ships, 15 Etchell keelboats, seven XOD one-designs and five Dragon keelboats.

Accidental cause

A spokesman for the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘Fire investigations conclude it was an ‘accidental cause’ that started the fire.’

Photo credit: Rick Tomlinson

Fire service group manager, Dean Haward, told Isle of Wight Radio: ‘Our fire investigation is still on-going, but we can say that we are not looking for any suspicious cause. We can put it down to an accidental ignition.

‘We have liaised with police – as we would with a situation like this – but there is no need to bring them in for this investigation.’

Substantial clean up

In a statement the Harrison Trust said: ‘Thankfully there were no injuries and the owners have been working with IoW Councillor Peacey-Wilcox to minimise disruption to the tenants affected.

‘The fire, which started in a car repair workshop was brought under control by the exemplary efforts of the emergency services. Whilst there has been a lot of valuable property lost, the Trust hope to see businesses back on site as early as next week but, they have a substantial clean up operation on their hands.

‘Meetings with Building Control and Fire Safety officers have taken place and local firms have already been employed to carry out H&S assessments and to investigate the structural integrity of remaining buildings. There are serious concerns over loose panelling and damaged structures, which have necessitated the temporary closure of Medina Village. Electrical and gas engineers have also been on site today to get supplies back on for those tenants that have been able to remain on site.

‘It is hoped that the Medina Village will reopen on Monday next week. The owners’ managing agents, Gully Howard Technical, will continue to keep businesses appraised of the clean up operation and provide accompanied access as necessary.’

Moreton Marine’s Patrick said on his Facebook page: ‘Thanks for all your messages of support and offers of help. If you’re not careful I’ll take you up on it! All safe but very sad to lose Fedoa and all the hours of work by our great shipwrights. So close to finishing too…. Grrrrr!’

The Fedoa yacht restoraton. Credit: www.fedoa.blogspot.com

Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service crews remained on site yesterday at Medina Village, damping down and managing hot spots, to avoid any further flare ups caused by high winds.

Members of the public are advised to stay away from the site.

Twitter user @BenBoard3569 reported that it was ‘amazing to see the community pulling together’ to help clear up the Medina Yard fire damage.

UKSA sailing school said on Twitter: ‘We would like to offer support to those affected by the #CowesFire with temporary desk space – E: marketing@uksa.org.’