Firefighters Tackle Blaze At Derelict Ryde Town Hall

A large fire broke out at the former Ryde Town Hall overnight, prompting a major response from crews across the Isle of Wight.

Smoke was seen coming from the upper floors of the derelict building in Lind Street shortly before midnight on Wednesday.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service sent six fire engines, an aerial ladder platform, a water carrier and a command support unit to the scene.

Firefighters used breathing apparatus, ladders, hose reel jets and main jets to bring the blaze under control, with the main focus at the rear of the former theatre building and within the roof space.

Despite the scale of the incident, the building was saved from destruction.

Nearby residents were advised to keep windows and doors closed because of smoke, while Lind Street, St James’ Street and Market Street were closed to traffic during the response.

The incident began to scale back at around 2.40am, with the fire confirmed out shortly after 3am.

All crews had left the scene by around 8.10am, although firefighters from Ryde were expected to return later in the morning to carry out further checks.

The cause of the fire has not yet been established.