FIREFIGHTERS have been called to a Ryde property this morning after a rabbit hutch caught alight.

Two crews from Ryde are at the scene at St John's Hill after receiving the call at 10.02am.

A spokesperson from the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said the hutch was in the back garden on a residential property.

UPDATE 10.45am:

Although police are near the scene, a spokesperson from the fire service said they were dealing with a separate incident on School Street.

Fire crews have surrounded the fire.

St John's Hill remains open to traffic but Southern Vectis has reported diversions on routes 2 (Newport-Sandown-Ryde), 3 (Newport-Sandown-Ryde) and 8 (Newport-Bembridge-Ryde) via Star Street, Dover Street, Esplanade, Easthill Road, St John's Hill, Alexandra Road, and Great Preston Road.

UPDATE 11.10am:

The Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service has now left the scene after extinguishing the fire.

The fire, which covered an area of two metres by 5 metres, involved a rabbit hutch and a refuse area.

No animals were harmed during the blaze and the rabbits had been evactuated prior to the crews' arrival.

A spokesperson from the Fire and Rescue Service said: "The evacuation of flats is nothing to do with the fire or the fire service." Police have since confirmed they did evacuate flats as a precaution.

UPDATE 11:40am:

Ryde Fire Station posted on their Twitter, @IWFRSRYDE, that they were called to a small fire out of control but quickly called for their second pump as the fire had grown quickly to a much larger fire.

The fire is initally thought to have been caused by cigarette, but this is unconfirmed.

UPDATE 12pm:

Police have confirmed they evacuated the flats as a precautionary measure. They were also present to help with traffic control as a fire engine was blocking the road.

They were also in the area dealing with a separate incident.