The boss of a pub ravaged by fire has said the building is 'lost' as five staff members who lived at the venue have been relocated to hotels.

The Osborne View, in Hill Head, was destroyed in a blaze on Thursday. The fire reached 330C at its core with flames reaching 10ft.

Firefighters resorted to bringing in water from the Solent to help battle the blaze at the seaside venue.

The cause of the fire has been confirmed as an electrical fault in a tumble dryer at the building.

Now the managing director of the pub's parent company has issued a statement.

Footage captured around sunrise also shows the destruction left behind following the fire.

Hall & Woodhouse managing director Matt Kearsey said: "Thanks to the continuing efforts of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service the site of The Osborne View has now been made safe and we have been able to take the building back from the emergency services, for which I am immensely grateful.

​“The ferocity of the fire has caused major inconvenience and concern to the local community, in some cases to a significant degree, and so I am truly thankful for the understanding of those who have been affected. Their support at such a challenging time is very much appreciated by all at Hall & Woodhouse.

“Our immediate priority has been to ensure the personal wellbeing of affected team members, five of which were resident on site at the time of the fire.

"These team members have been relocated to a hotel while we arrange alternative longer-term accommodation, and we have also supported them in purchasing necessities to replace those lost in the fire.

"We are now finalising plans to provide longer-term practical and emotional support and will be liaising closely with all those affected in the coming days as we progress our assistance.

“It is clear that due to the extent of the fire, the original building has been sadly lost. I know that many people in the locality will also be feeling the impact of the damage to this much-loved neighbourhood asset.

"We will be closed for the foreseeable future, but we remain totally committed to rebuilding The Osborne View as a pub and to our part in the local community in the long term. We will update on plans when we are able.”