Fire ravages home on private Green Island in Poole Harbour

Firefighters are tackling a blaze on an island owned by a multi-millionaire.

Crews were scrambled to the privately-owned 45-acre Green Island in Poole Harbour, Dorset, after 999 calls at 7.20am.

The blaze is in a three-storey timber property, which was under construction, Dorset Fire an Rescue Service said.

A team of 45 firefighters is battling the blaze, having been taken to the island with help from Poole Harbour Commissioners.

A trained fire team from nearby Brownsea Island is also helping out with water pumps and other equipment.

Green Island is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is situated just across the water from Sandbanks, where Tottenham Hotspur football manager Harry Redknapp lives.

The island was bought by millionaire Edward Iliffe in 2005 for £2.5 million and two years ago he won planning permission to build a luxury six-bedroom log cabin on the island.

It was to be purpose-built in Canada from cedar logs and shipped over.

Mr Iliffe, from Berkshire, bought the island as an idyllic retreat for his family.

His plans included knocking down a dilapidated bungalow on the island but he said he planned to keep a Scandinavian-style A-framed timber chalet.

A fire service spokeswoman said: "At approximately 7.20am this morning, crews from Dorset Fire and Rescue Service were called to a property fire on Green Island in Poole Harbour.

"The fire is affecting a three-floor property.

"Fire crews have been taken over to the island by Poole Harbour Commissioners under the Memorandum of Understanding with Dorset Fire and Rescue Service.

"The fire team at Brownsea Island, that the fire service have trained, have also responded with water pumps and other equipment.

"Firefighters are using four main lines to get this fire under control."

PA