The extent of a blaze that ripped through the former Cygnet Hotel in Sandown last night has been revealed, with firefighters now standing down some 14-and-a-half hours after the fire broke out.
It was at just before 17:25 yesterday (Saturday) that Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service mobilised appliances to the derelict building, as first reported by Island Echo.
Members of the public spotted smoke billowing from the top floor of the once-loved hotel on Carter Street as the flames took hold.
At its height, the incident saw a total of 6 appliances, 2 aerial ladder platforms and 2 water carriers in attendance.
Appliances from Grayshott, Gosport, Horndean, Bishops Waltham and Droxford were mobilised to standby at Isle of Wight stations, making the fire a significant incident for the service regionally.
Overnight, relief crews were brought in to continue damping down the charred remains of the Cygnet Hotel, finally standing down at just before 08:00.
Investigations into the cause of the fire are expected to take place with the incident being treated as suspected arson at this time.
Police are maintaining a scene guard this morning.
Broadway and Carter Street have now reopened to all traffic, although some signage remains in place directing motorists to divert locally.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary says it is treating the incident as suspected arson, although enquiries are ongoing to establish the cause of the fire.
No arrests have been made at this time.
Anyone with information should call Police on 101 quoting reference 44250472994.
PHOTOS:
Something has to be done about these derelict hotels as it’s just ridiculous now. The extent of this blaze; the resources required; and the danger to the fireghters is just too much. Also, there’s the risk to nearby properties; the disruption it causes to residents etc. And thank goodness we still have 2x ALPs as one will be gone soon. Hopefully this place is now in such a state that it will be pulled down and cleared, though given other events in Sandown over the years, then I won’t expect it any time soon. It’s very sad.
Much loved? Never heard of it.
Seems very fishy
Probably arsonists (the same ones that have caused all of the other fires in derilict hotels in Sandown recently) intent on causing disruption to property developers as usual
i would of thought this is a help? less to knock down..
Have you considered it might be the developers ‘arranging’ these mysterious fires to solve the planning approval problems.. Building now has to be knocked down and cleared – so a nice blank canvas to start from!
This building will probably stay like this , an eye sore .
What a stupid headline..suspicious..shame all of them aren’t raised to the ground..improve the dump that is sandown.And still it won’t be knocked down just left like it .
Hay guys i hurd from someone that 5min before the fire they saw 5 adults run out the building
And 1h ago before it started I was driving my car and I saw 2 teens climb the she’d and jump in the side window
I say they should know the bloody building down at this point you can’t revevate it and it’s just there and make the island look bad.
I ment to say knock the building down