Devastating fire reduces empty Torquay seafront hotel to smouldering shell

All that is left of the Sherwood Hotel  - a smouldering shell.

These pictures from the Torquay fire station show the devastating damage caused by a huge fire at the empty hotel yesterday.

Fourteen 14 crews tackled the dramatic blaze at the seafront hotel which sent thick clouds of smoke billowing over the main promenade packed by locals and holidaymakers enjoying the Easter Sunday sunshine.

Sherwood Hotel devastated by the blaze

The devastating blaze, which broke out around 2pm, is being investigated by police along with an earlier and much smaller fire at the derelict property on the Friday before.

The fire on Belgrave Road burned for hours as crews worked to extinguish it.

Sherwood Hotel blaze - flames shoot through the roof Pic Jim Parker

Torquay and Torbay fire crews were joined by fellow firefighters from Buckfastleigh at the scene.

The Buckfastleigh firefighters had been called to cover duties at Paignton Fire Station, but on the way they diverted to the hotel blaze as part of a  "make pumps 10" incident - where the officer in charge requests the resources he or she believes they require to deal with the incident.

Sherwood Hotel blaze - firefighters inside the smoke-filled property

They assisted with running the breathing apparatus sector and the Breathing Apparatus Entry Control board. Fire appliances remained at the scene throughout the night and we returned home at 7pm.

Sherwood Hotel blaze - dozens of firefighters used breathing apparatus

The building was soon  “well alight” after the alarm was first raised with flames seen shooting through the roof. By late afternoon the blaze had ravaged the roof leaving a gaping hole.

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.”

Sherwood Hotel blaze - a firefighter on the turntable ladder

The turntable ladder and hose reels were used to tackle the blaze as ash and debris from the fire fell across the nearby Shedden Hill car park.

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.