UPDATED: BLAZE BREAKS OUT AT SANDOWN’S DISUSED CYGNET HOTEL – AGAIN

A fire has broken out at the former Cygnet Hotel in Sandown tonight (Wednesday), with multiple fire crews on scene working to contain and extinguish the blaze.  Smoke can be issuing from the property on the corner of Carter Street and Broadway – a site earmarked as a development opportunity. 5 appliances from Sandown, Shanklin, Ventnor, Ryde and Newport are in attendance, alongside an Aerial Ladder Platform from Ryde and the temporary Incident Command Vehicle from Newport. The Isle of Wight Ambulance Service has an operational commander on scene too. Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to the developing incident at around 22:40, with multiple calls made to 999. An orange glow could be seen as the fire broke out through the roof space. Broadway has been closed in both directions as firefighters work to identify the source of the fire, contain it and fully extinguish the fire. Tonight’s incident comes just a week after another fire at the Cygnet, which follows an incident back in April of this year. UPDATE @ 23:45 – The fire is currently being tackled defensively due to the dangerous conditions inside the property, Island Echo is told. Smoke continues to rise from the property with damage to the roof now clearly visible. However, firefighters appear to have a strong hold of the situation and are utilising the Aerial Ladder Platform to get a birds eye view of the extent and seat of the fire. Residents are advised to keep their windows and doors closed due to smoke from the fire. Crews are expected to remain on scene for several hours, working into the early hours of Thursday morning. UPDATE THURSDAY – Daylight has revealed the extent of the damage caused to the former hotel. Read more at https://www.islandecho.co.uk/extent-of-cygnet-hotel-fire-revealed/. Broadway and Carter Street have reopened to all traffic.