Could fire appliances be stored elsewhere in East Cowes, following the sudden closure of the town's fire station?

That is one of the questions being asked by Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely.

Today he met with members of the Fire Brigades Union about the sudden closure of the station, and he says he is seeking an urgent meeting with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service on the subject.

A condition report has revealed problems with the building meaning it is currently unsafe to use. "It’s effectively slipping," said Mr Seely.

He said: "The East Cowes fire appliance is now being housed in Newport with the special appliance now at Ryde.

"East Cowes crews will still be alerted if there is a fire, but clearly it will take longer for the appliance to get to the town. That will mean longer response times.

"What questions am I asking? Could the East Cowes fire appliances have a temporary home in, or closer to, the town?

"Are there plans for a new fire station in East Cowes?

"Looking more widely, the fire stations in Bembridge and Yarmouth have effectively been mothballed. There’s not enough crew.

"In fact, it’s estimated we could be about 20 firefighters short on the Island. I want to know what the fire service thinks.

"After talking to the FBU I’m concerned about resilience on the Island.

"We’ve seen a small number of fire deaths in the last six months, we’re now effectively three fire stations down and we’re short on personnel. I want to know what’s been done about it.

"I’ll also be asking what plans the fire service has to recruit more firefighters on the Island and what plans there are to ensure the future of East Cowes Fire Station but also others."

The East Cowes crew is now based in Newport.

Last week, Cllr Karen Lucioni, who sits on the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority, said: "The community of East Cowes will continue to be well protected by Newport and neighbouring stations.

"The actions being taken are based on immediate building safety concerns and no long-term decisions about the station are being considered at this stage.”

Cllr Lucioni said she will be seeking assurances over a new building for the town.