FIREFIGHTERS battled flames for over four hours today as a blaze ravaged an airport on the Isle of Wight.

Teams fought to control the fire, which engulfed the mezzanine level of a 2,400sqm industrial hangar at the Isle of Wight Airport at Sandown in the east of the island just after 1pm.

Firefighters are unsure how the fire started, but said that it was fuelled by chemicals, resin and fibreglass.

Eight Island fire crews attended the scene as well as several special units.

The airport had to be closed down for most of the afternoon, but was reopened again by 5pm.

A spokesperson for Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said that the blaze is now under control.

Isle of Wight airport caters mostly for privately owned aeroplanes which travel from all parts of the country, as well as the Channel Islands and France.