Two Bournemouth hotels evacuated due to fire nearby

Two hotels have been evacuated after a fire broke out at a derelict hotel in Bournemouth.

More than 110 firefighters attended the scene at the four-storey former Woodcroft Tower Hotel overnight.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said it was called to Gervis Road at about 23:30 BST on Wednesday.

The fire service said about 160 guests from the two hotels - Britannia and Hotel Celebrity - were taken to other hotels for the night.

The blaze from the derelict building spread to the roof of neighbouring hotel, Britannia, "but this was quickly brought under control", the fire service added.

The fire has destroyed the the four-storey former Woodcroft Tower Hotel

Incident commander Andrew Laskey said: "There were no people in the building that was derelict.

"We're still tackling the fire - it's being kept under control and avoiding any spread at the moment."

'Cinders in the air'

Eyewitness Colin Billing, who lives nearby, said: "I smelled smoke, looked out and saw lots of thick smoke coming from the old hotel and dialled 999.

"Shortly [afterwards] the building was well alight with fire crews tackling the blaze from streets on two sides of the building."

Mr Billing added he later saw "sparks and cinders in the air" ignite the roof of the Britannia hotel.

About 110 firefighters were at the blaze overnight at the four-storey building

Roads around the area have been closed near the former Woodcroft Tower Hotel

The fire service said about 50 firefighters remained at the scene.

People have been advised to avoid the area and residents asked to close windows and doors due to the smoke.

Surrounding roads - Bath Hill, Grove Road, Gervis Road and Meyrick Road - have all been closed.

Crews are expected to remain at the scene throughout the day.

People are being urged to avoid the area