Derelict hotel fire sends smoke across town

1 hour ago

Zhara SimpsonDevon

Emergency services asked residents nearby to close their windows

BBC An ariel view of smoke bellowing from the derelict hotel. The building is white and the roof is black with smoke. — Emergency services asked residents nearby to close their windows

People are being advised to shut their windows due to "large amounts of smoke" from a fire at a derelict building in Devon.

Emergency services asked residents near the former Sherwood Hotel on Belgrave Road in Torquay to close all windows and doors to prevent any "health issues", and for people to avoid the area.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said it was the second time in three days that crews had been called to the building.

Emergency services were first alerted to the ongoing fire at about 13:50 BST on Sunday and initially sent four fire engines and an aerial ladder platform to the scene. Belgrave Road has been closed both ways from Falkland Road to the A379, Torbay Road.

The fire service said the fire involves "multiple floors"

Black smoke coming from the derelict hotel in Torquay. The smoke is black and is filling the sky. A firefighter is on an ariel ladder to the right fighting the fire. — The fire service said the fire involves "multiple floors"

Listen to the latest news for Devon

The fire service said the fire involved "multiple floors within the three-storey derelict hotel".

At about 14:30, the fire service said it requested two further fire engines and a second aerial ladder platform, alongside an incident commander from Totnes.

Crews requested the attendance of a further four fire engines at about 15:20, a welfare unit from Ivybridge, as well as an environmental protection unit from Taunton and a hazardous material officer.

At 16:41, the fire service said: "Steady progress is being made monitoring and extinguishing the fire."

It said two aerial ladder platforms, hydrants, hose reel jets, safety jets and breathing apparatus were currently in use.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service were called at 14:50 BST

An ariel view of smoke bellowing from the derelict hotel. The building is white and the roof is black with smoke. — Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service were called at 14:50 BST

Devon and Cornwall Police said several fire and police officers were at the scene.

"Please avoid the area for the time being," it said.

"The advice is for residents, and particularly those nearest to the hotel, to close all windows and doors to prevent any health issues."

Any residents who may have witnessed people involved with the incident or have any CCTV footage or doorbell footage have been asked to contact police.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said it was the second time in three days that crews had been called to the building

Naked flames behind a window of the hotel. There is thick black smoke inside and outside of the former hotel. — Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said it was the second time in three days that crews had been called to the building

On Friday, five fire engines and an aerial ladder platform went to the same location following a "number of calls" at about 09:05.

The incident was closed at about 17:00.

There was also a fire at the same hotel in March 2024, and in October 2025 it was closed for three months by Devon and Cornwall Police, who described it as an "anti-social behaviour magnet".

Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk.