Date: 24th September, 2020
24 September 4pm
Firefighters have been working tirelessly in challenging conditions to bring the derelict hotel fire in Gervis Road, Bournemouth under control. The incident has been scaled down to approx. 25 firefighters with specialist resources remaining on site.
A big thank you to our partners in Dorset Police, BCP Council, South Western Ambulance Service and Hampshire Fire and Rescue for their support in bringing this incident under control.
24 September 9am
Some 50 firefighters continue to fight a significate blaze at a derelict hotel in Bournemouth, which started late last night (23 September).
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) was called to Gervis Road at 11.26pm and found the four-storey former Woodcroft Tower Hotel well alight.
At the height of the incident, sixteen crews were using main jets and hose reel jets to tackle the fire, and two aerial ladder platforms (ALPs) were also in use. A high volume pump from Christchurch was sent to the scene to boost the water supply.
Two neighbouring hotels – the Britannia and Hotel Celebrity – have been evacuated as a precaution, with approx. 160 residents in total accommodated at other hotels for the night. Those residents will be allowed back to their rooms this morning to retrieve possessions, supported by officers from BCP Council.
There was some fire spread to the roof of the Britannia, but this was quickly brought under control.
Dorset Police are on scene, managing the road closures and supporting scene safety. Gervis Road remains closed at this time and other local routes are also affected.
DWFRS crews have been supported by crews from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service; the incident has now been scaled back but there are still eight fire engines and two aerial ladder platforms in use, as well as the high volume pump.
Local people are advised to be aware of the smoke still issuing and are asked not to call 999 unless they are certain the fire they are seeing is not this incident. Anyone in close proximity to the affected area should keep doors and windows closed as a precaution.
The Service anticipates that this will be a protracted incident, with crews expected to remain on site for much of today. A fire investigation will take place once it is safe to do so.