Roof collapses as fire rips through Torquay seafront hotel

Firefighters battled to contain a blaze which ripped through a Torquay seafront hotel today.

Clouds of thick black smoke were visible from miles away as the smoke billowed towards the main promenade, which was packed with holidaymakers and locals enjoying the Easter Sunday sunshine and first main holiday weekend of the year.

The alarm was raised at about 2pm. By late afternoon the blaze had ravaged the roof leaving a gaping hole.

The roof of the Sherwood Hotel is destroyed by the flames

Police closed several roads and issued warnings about the smoke.

A police spokesman said: “We are currently on the scene of a large fire at the closed down Sherwood Hotel in Belgrave Road.

“There are road closures at Chestnut Road and Torbay Road with their junctions at Belgrave Road so there will be congestion in the area.

“We are also requesting residents and businesses near to the location, to close their windows and doors as there is a large amount of smoke being generated.”

Multiple fire crews and police officers were at the scene as efforts continued to bring the incident under control.

A turntable ladder is used to tackle the Sherwood Hotel blaze

The building was described as “well alight”, with flames seen shooting through the roof, which was at risk of collapse. Dozens of firefighters have been using a turntable ladder and hose reels to tackle the blaze.

Ash and debris from the fire have also fallen into the nearby Shedden Hill car park.

The blaze is the second fire alert at the empty Sherwood in just a few days.

Officers are appealing for information, with anyone who witnessed the incident or has relevant footage, including CCTV or doorbell cameras, is asked to contact police on 101 quoting log number 348 of 05/04/2026.

The Sherwood Hotel was the subject of one of the first ‘closure orders’ enforced by Devon and Cornwall police just a few months ago.

The order banned people not authorised to enter the property for three months.

Police decided to take action after the hotel stopped taking paying guests several months ago and the building had fallen into a state of disrepair. Plymouth Magistrates Court granted the closure order.

Torquay Inspector Rob Harvey explained at the time: “This property has become an eyesore and a magnet for people intent on causing anti-social behaviour. We want to assure the community that we are taking action and will continue to work with our partners to keep people in Torquay safe.

Sherwood Hotel closure order

“Along with several reports of anti-social and nuisance behaviour linked to this location, there was also an incident of sexual assault reported to us.”