Hampshire Constabulary is appealing for information following a blaze at the derelict Ocean Hotel in Sandown last night (Saturday).
As first reported by Island Echo, appliances from the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service were mobilised to reports of a derelict hotel on fire along Sandown Esplanade at shortly before 20:30.
Upon the arrival of the first crews, it was soon made apparent that more resources would be required, making pumping appliances 8, with 2 aerial ladder platforms.
As the evening went on and efforts to bring the fire under control continued, cordons were put in place by Police with residents being told to keep windows and doors closed.
The Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) from South Central Ambulance Service was drafted into the Island alongside several pumping appliances from Hampshire fire stations to provide essential cover to the rest of the Isle of Wight.
HM Coastguard teams were also called to assist with crowd control as the beach was closed to onlookers, with local residents and business owners were on hand to provide refreshments for the emergency services.
Sergeant Sharland of Hampshire Constabulary has praised the public and the press following the incident. They said:
“I would like to say thank you to the public and press, who were supportive and understanding as we closed off large areas of the town to create safe working space for the Fire Service and ensure the public remained safe from the fallout of smoke.
“It was wonderful to see the Public spirit in Sandown and support for our emergency services.”
No injuries have been reported following last night’s incident.
Island Echo has approached Hampshire Constabulary for a statement regarding the ongoing investigation.
If you have any information that may assist officers with their inquiries into tonight’s incident, you are asked to contact 101 quoting reference number 44210177386.
You can read more about the incident and the events as they happened, here.
I feel sorry for the shop owners below the hotel. They’ve had to deal with one thing after another lately.
Isn’t this where the squatters were? Yes, it’s very easy to think “insurance job” but also not too difficult to start a fire with squatters. Hopefully an investigation will discover the truth and I hope if arson or negligence, someone will be held accountable. I’m just relieved no one was hurt. But so very sad to lose another historic building. This is not what Sandown needed.
I thought the squatters left weeks ago? Don’t think it has anything to do with them, I think they were only there to try to protect the history of the building and left within days of it being known they were there. Really sad the posted security was not there.
I feel quite upset about this, the Ocean used to be one of our favourite hotels and we had some good holidays there. It is so sad it has all come to this, such a pity.