Yet another blaze has erupted at a derelict hotel in Sandown, with firefighters on scene tackling the fire at the former Cygnet Hotel this afternoon (Saturday).
It was just before 17:30 that members of the public dialled 999 at the sight of flames licking out of a top floor window.
Black smoke is now billowing into the sky as the fire rips through the derelict property, which is currently for sale as a development opportunity.
Multiple appliances from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service have been mobilised to the incident at the junction of Broadway and Carter Street.
Cordons are in place with all traffic being diverted locally.
UPDATE @ 18:25 – As darkness falls, a total of 5 appliances and 2 water carriers are on scene with firefighters using main jets, hose reel jets and a monitor jet to douse the flames.
2 Aerial Ladder Platforms (ALPs) are being utilised to fight the fire from above.
The deployment of both Ryde’s and Newport’s ALP will bring political ramifications as the decision has been made to remove the Island’s second ALP to save money – but clearly it is needed.
The blaze has completely destroyed the roof of the once-popular hotel.
Police are on scene and are thought to be treating the incident as suspicious, pending further investigation.
UPDATE @ 19:10 – The fire is now under control but not fully extinguished, with further appliances from Ventnor, Ryde and Waterlooville arriving as efforts continue.
Incident Commanders are liaising with engineers from SGN, Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks and Southern Water in respect of the building’s utility connections.
Due to the size of the incident and the risk to emergency personnel, the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service is now in attendance with an ambulance crew and operational commander.
Although the hotel is derelict, there has been no confirmation as to whether anyone was inside the property.
There was another significant fire at the same hotel in June of last year.
UPDATE @ 20:08 – Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed that a total of 6 appliances, 2 aerial ladder platforms and 2 water carriers are in attendance.
Further appliances from Grayshott, Gosport, Horndean, Bishops Waltham and Droxford have been mobilised to the Isle of Wight to standby at local stations, ensuring adequate fire cover.
With the Isle of Wight’s new Incident Command Unit absent from the incident, an Incident Command Support Vehicle from Eastleigh has arrived in Sandown some 2-and-a-half-hours after the blaze began.
The fire service would like to thank Wightlink for their support in helping us get these appliances across.
The incident continues.
UPDATE @ 22:40 – The incident has now been scaled make to 2 pumps and an Aerial Ladder Platform.
UPDATE SUNDAY – It has been confirmed that last night’s incident is being treated as arson.
Daylight has revealed the extent of the blaze.
Read the latest at https://www.islandecho.co.uk/sandowns-derelict-cygnet-hotel-destroyed-by-suspicious-blaze/.
A derict hotel in Sandown, on fire. I’m so shocked. I’m sure the owners are furious…
What is happening to this Island !
Islandwide CCTV is desperately needed.
Owners of such buildings should be “FORCED” to install
CCTV or employ security at such sites.
What a waste of Emergency services time.
Here we go, another insurance job that won’t be properly investigated
Another insurance job! Do tell what you think was the last one then, also what on earth do you think the owners of the Cygnet will be able to claim for under this imaginary insurance policy.
Here we go another comment that wasn’t properly thought out!
of course, if they do get rid of one ALP and an incident occurs that would have meant the damage/consequences would have been far less from an insurance perspective if they had two ALPs on the island, then the council will be on the hook to pay, as it will be their decision that ultimately meant a fire caused more damage than it would have done.
Good it was not a stormy night with ferries cancelled it would of been a whole different story as far as fire cover was concerned.
I’m sorry to see this yes again. It is simply one of two things, either insurance fraud or arson/ASB. In any event the local authority can force owners if derelict buildings to sitex/board them up under Under Section 29 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982. That together with effective ASB intelligence led proactive policing would have prevented this. How many more fires in Sandown have to take place before public services do their job. I feel sorry for the fire brigade and local businesses/residents. Wake up police and IWCC. You’re failing your community!