UPDATED: RNLI lifeboat crews have responded to an incident at Spit Bank Fort in the Solent this evening (Monday) after reports of a fire.
It was reported to HM Coastguard that a fire had broken out on the isolated fort at just before 17:30 prompting lifeboats from Gosport, Portsmouth and Bembridge to respond, in case the people there needed to be evacuated. Portsmouth Coastguard Rescue Team were also tasked.
Within 15 minutes of the first report, managers on the fort, which is used as a hotel, told the emergency services that the fire was understood to be under control and by 18:00 it was fully extinguished.
Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service are tonight assisting in the transportation of Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service crews to the fort so they can assess the site.
Bembridge RNLI, who were tasked to launch their All Weather Lifeboat at 17:51, have now returned to station having been stood down. Due to the swell on the slip the lifeboat was unable to be recovered straight away and had to remain at sea for just over an hour until the tide dropped and conditions on the slipway improved.
