The Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service have mobilised to a hotel fire in Shanklin tonight (Wednesday).
Fire crews from Shanklin, Sandown and Ventnor are on scene at Holliers Hotel in the Old Village.
An Aerial Ladder Platform from Newport is also in attendance alongside the Incident Command Unit – also from Newport.
Island Echo is told the fire has broken out in the laundry room to the rear of the hotel. Crews wearing breathing apparatus have entered the building to contain and extinguish the fire, which appears to be under control.
The main Shanklin to Ventnor Road is blocked in both directions whilst the incident is dealt with. Southern Vectis buses will divert via Whiteley Bank until further notice.
The Isle of Wight Ambulance Service initially dispatched an ambulance crew to the scene but they have quickly stood down.
UPDATE @ 22:03 – Leighton Bryant, Tactical Advisor for the incident, has confirmed that around 30 residents have been evacuated and are currently sheltering in the nearby Crab Inn.
The fire, which broke out in an outbuilding used as a laundry room at just before 21:00, has now been extinguished. Firefighters are using a thermal imaging camera to check for hotspots and are cutting away to ensure the fire does not reignite.
4 breathing apparatus, 2 hose reel jets and 1 hydrant have been used to tackle the fire, which is thought to have started in either a tumble dryer or washing machine.
Firefighters are now being decontaminated due to the potential presence of asbestos in the damaged outbuilding.
It is the aim to get residents back in the hotel for the night, subject to safety and electrical checks.
The road remains closed.
UPDATE @ 22:15 – Shanklin Old Village has now re-opened to all traffic, however, it isn’t good news for hotel residents.
The decision has been taken that patrons will have to seek alternative accommodation for the night. The same is said for a neighbouring property.
The Channel View Hotel in Shanklin have offered assistance, if required.
The Isle of Wight Fire and a Rescue Service are beginning to stand down from the incident.
Scary
30 residents I bet they arnt keeping a metre apart