Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service is responding to yet another fire at a derelict hotel in Sandown this evening (Tuesday).
Smoke can be seen billowing from the roof space and windows of the former Parkbury Hotel off The Broadway, where several crews have arrived to tackle the blaze.
4 appliances from Sandown, Shanklin, Ryde and Newport are all in attendance alongside senior duty officers and the Aerial Ladder Platform from Newport.
The Broadway has been closed in both directions by Police as a result.
UPDATE @ 19:37 – Further resources have been mobilised including appliances from East Cowes, Cowes and Freshwater, as well as the Incident Command Unit from Newport.
The Aerial Ladder Platform has been established on Winchester Park Road with other appliances in situ surrounding the former hotel.
Crews are using main jets, hose reel jets and breathing apparatus to contain and extinguish the blaze.
The Isle of Wight Ambulance Service is now also on scene with an operational commander.
UPDATE @ 20:41 – The situation appears to be under control – with around 30 firefighters now in attendance.
2 appliances from Southampton have been drafted in to maintain fire cover across the Island. A spare Hampshire appliance at Ryde has also been manned.
UPDATE @ 22:03 – It has been confirmed that the quick actions of crews has meant that the fire has been contained to the ground and 1st floors.
Fire crews are now leaving the scene and The Broadway has re-opened to all traffic.
There has been no indication as to the cause of the fire and whether or not the incident is being treated as suspicious.
It’s Broadway, not ‘the’ Broadway
My sister in law stayed there was a massive hotel
Yet another empty hotel set light to putting the lives of firemen at risk. Its a discrace theses buildings are purchased cheaply and land banked.
You were obviously there, and committed arson, to know that the building was “set light to”.
So I made an assumption it was set light to. So what….
You’d almost think all these abandoned properties are being set on fire deliberately.
Anyone seen exiting the hotel?, asking about fire hydrants?, black cars speeding away? Even if there was it won’t be arson. Never is on the good ‘ol Isle of Wight. Just saying.
Not another self igniting derelict building don’t bother sending the police it’s not arson
Maybe the police should have been posing for a photo outside this derelict hotel you couldn’t write it could you.
6 pumps and 2 special appliances in attendance yet 2 pumps are required to be brought over from Hampshire as back up. Looks like the level of fire cover on the island has reduced since the 2 brigades merged.
If Joe public knew how low the level of fire cover was at times on the island they would be worried, but it was a long time before the merger with Hampshire, all because a computer said we don’t need as many firefighters, now they can’t turn out pumps through lack of personnel.too many pen pushers to tick boxes, not enough boots on the ground.
Fire Cover in Hampshire is at its lowest level as well, sending two fire engines and an extra crew over from the mainland means Hampshire have to rely on West Sussex,Berkshire and Dorset for back up . with knock on affects with those Brigades, Fire Cover over the Country has been cut back to the bone .
Fire insurance premiums in Sandown should be ten times higher than elsewhere.
Either a crazed arsonist, or more scams to rid defunct building to gain more easily planning permission for crammed in flats to maximise the income from the plot.
If it is found to be arson, it’s sickening. It’s about time the IOW Council get a grip on all these empty buildings and get something done.
Surely there must be something they can do to get the owners to stop ‘land banking’ these properties and get them sorted out and occupied into some use?
Arson doesn’t happen on the Island, even with photos, video evidence and local witness statements. Money talks over here, and sod the locals I’m afraid.
Definitely won’t be arson you could tell the police that you spotted someone going into the building and 10 minutes later smoke coming from the building………. Not arson
No doubt another insurance job !! Probably knock it down and build flats.. bless room for tourists..
If it was or ever is a bad fire, imagine it does take an hour to get across on the ferry… fire can spread a long way in an hour… be a great time to start building a tunnel to mainland !!
these buildings should be IF viable be purchased by council and used for housing purposes NOnot left for people to set a fire and use I expect all of the Islands Fire response Resorces to be used And lets hope we get no real fire at same time. Our Island fire teams are a credit to the NFS so please do not abuse them.