An investigation into the cause of a blaze that ripped through the remains of the former amusement arcade on Ventnor Esplanade yesterday evening (Tuesday) is to get underway later this morning. 

Crews from Shanklin, Ventnor, Sandown, Ryde, Newport, Cowes, Freshwater and East Cowes were mobilised to the seafront at just before 18:00 as smoke billowed from the partially demolished building, as first reported by Island Echo.

More than 45 firefighters were involved in the operation using main jets, hose reel jets and the Aerial Ladder Platform to dowse the flames. Water was relayed from a nearby paddling pool and a dam was established to help keep the water flowing.

Locals residents were asked to keep their windows and doors shut as acrid smoke blew inland and into the town. Thankfully, the fire has been contained and no other properties have been damaged.

After some 9 hours of firefighting, the blaze was finally brought under control and extinguished by 03:00 this morning with damping down continuing for a time.

Overnight a relief strategy was put in place which saw crews from Hampshire drafted in to assist at the scene and provide fire cover elsewhere on the Island.

It has been confirmed that an investigation is due to start later this morning to try and establish the cause of the blaze. Police have cordoned off the immediate area and officers are maintaining a scene guard.

Island Echo is told by a local witness that they saw a workmen enter the site around 15 minutes prior to the fire breaking out.

1 fire crew from Newport remain on scene with some occasional damping down taking place.

Constructed in 1896, the building was originally used as a theatre before being re-purposed during World War I to assemble aircraft parts. It was then converted into an arcade before closing around 10 years ago. The top part of the dome was removed in 1986.

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Does anyone know why they couldn’t use seawater and instead needed to use water from the nearby paddling pool?

Due to the amount needed I imagine sea water would act like an abrasive wreaking the pumps on the fire engines, better they use pool water that’s nearby and available than damage those expensive, essential machines. Sea water would have been a last resort maybe.

The salt water may corrode the internal workings of the equipment as a guess so they have to use freshwater.

I would have thought due to the sand and small stones lodging in the pump.

Fish and shrimps have feelings too

Plus all the raw sewage pumped into the sea along with all the plastic bags. I wondered why they weren’t using seawater until I thought of them having to stop to clean the filters every five minutes. Salt corrosion I hadn’t thought of though, which makes complete sense as to why they were bringing in fresh water in their tankers.

Sea water has been used in the past but using the LPP’s (light portable pump) as the main pumps on the appliances would need to be flushed out with clean water for almost 40 minutes which is a waste of water and can corrode the internal parts of the pump. Also all the other bits of equipment ie branches, hose and hard suction will also need to be flushed through. I hope that answers your question.

This fire just cries “insurance job” especially seeing how the new owners were apparently saying they wanted to keep the dome. Oh well they can’t have that now, so let’s turn it into yet another eyesore of holiday flats instead. If you can’t get what you want just burn it. Hope it will turn out to be a proper investigation.

The problem of how to preserve the dome has, unfortunately, been rendered an unnecessary consideration.

Oh dear was the demolition not quick enough for the landowner? Did they think it needed a little hand ? Would be nice to see social housing in its place – wait a minute though local councillors and land owners won’t let that happen to lower the tone ? More luxurious penthouses for mainlanders and loadsa money for the owner.

Just what we need social housing for the down and out’s send over from the mainland.

There are plenty of Islanders that need social housing…and why do you think all social housing is for down and outs????

Let’s hope this was not deliberate . Our firemen’s safety is paramount they risk their lives daily

I heard Arcade Fire were touring, I didn’t realise they had a warm up gig on the island.

just anther rundown town on this island

The article states relief crews were sent in from mainland around 3 am , how did they get to the Island as there were no ferries running at that time , also was it only crews and not appliances sent from the mainland .

If you go back and read the original write ups, mainland crews were brought over (as foot passengers) earlier in the evening to provide cover for the island using the mainland machines that are stationed over here already, and have been for a while. They were then used for reliefs in the night.

I ask this as a retired mainland firefighter , What is the use of Bringing mainland crews over without their fire engines as relief crews they would be expected to be available if another serious fire broke out on the Island as most Island Fire Engines were committed to this fire .

Wouldn’t it be to cover the actual crew members who had been on shift all day and needed rest. I’m sure that they don’t have enough night cover on the Island to man all the Island appliances throughout the night – and that is where the mainland crews would come in. With some appliances needed on site at Ventnor, they would want every other appliance fully manned in case of other call-outs.

You took the words right out of my mouth ,I agree with you .

I slot machine arcade no one wanted anymore. I think the penny has now dropped!

I’m amazed that we need help from the mainland with crews. In my time, in the 80s, there were enough personnel and appliances on the island to cope with a reasonably small fire such as this. ‘Just goes to show what cost cutting over the years has achieved.

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