Cause of Osborne View hotel fire revealed by fire service

Firefighters were called to Hill Head Road at around 2:30am on Thursday morning, to a roaring blaze inside The Osborne View.

The blaze was so intense that flames reached up to 10 foot high and temperature readings captured by a thermal camera recorded temperatures of 330C at the centre of the fire.

Crews from Dorset, Fareham, Gosport, Cosham, Portchester, Southsea, Eastleigh, Hightown, Beauleigh, Romsey and Ringwood were present at the hotel on Thursday morning.

In the wake of the fire, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service has been carrying out an investigation into the cause of the blaze.

The service has since revealed that an electrical fault in a tumble dryer within the building is the cause of the fire.

Currently, Hill Head Road remains closed in both directions between Osborne View Road and Old Street – the closure has been in place since Thursday morning.

READ MORE: Everything we know about the Osborne View Hotel pub fire

Resident have told of fond memories within the well-loved pub and hotel – with its stunning views over the seafront.

Chris Wood, previously the County and Borough councillor for Stubbington and Hill Head, has started a petition to rebuild the Osborne View.

He said: “I have very fond memories of using the pub for the last 30 years.

“So many friends and family have such wonderful memories in this pub, it would be a huge loss for the community - were it now to be lost forever.”

Hill Head Road resident Mike Nash lives very close to the Osborne View.

He said: “We woke up in the early hours of this morning to all of the commotion.

“The hotel is the anchor of the community.

“It has been standing since Victorian times, and has survived two world wars, being home to the special boat service during the Second World War.

“Collectively, I think there’s a real sense of grief among the community here in Hillhead.”