Moment firefighters spray hoses over smouldering three-storey pub after horror blaze destroys roof and leaves scene of devastation

This is the moment firefighters sprayed hoses over a smouldering three-storey pub after a horror fire ripped through the roof and left a scene of devastation. 

Roughly 50 firefighters have worked through the morning to tackle the blaze at The Osborne View on Hill Head Road, Fareham, after an alarm was raised just before 2.30am.

No guests were staying in the hotel and all staff have been evacuated from the historic Victorian building – with locals reporting that the manager escaped in her dressing gown. 

30ft flames engulfed the venue, the roof of the three-storey building has been destroyed, and shocked witnesses saw the chimney on the right-hand side of the property crumble and fall. 

Throughout the morning, water was pumped in from the sea by firefighters to tackle the blaze. 

One neighbour who lives a few doors down from the pub said ‘the pub manager escaped in just her dressing gown’.

He said she and her partner are ‘devastated’ over what has happened.

Another  neighbour – who asked to remain anonymous – has lived in Fareham since 1949 and said the Osborne View was home to her first drink, her wedding reception – and her husband’s wake.

The woman said: ‘We used to have the meetings for the Hill Head sailing club in there. I had my wedding reception and spent the first night of my marriage in there.

‘I had my first legal drink in there. My husband’s funeral wake, you know, it’s been essential.

‘I’ve had friends phone me and tell me how sad they are.’

Discussing the impact of the fire, she said she has ‘no idea’ what will happen but predicts it’ll be ‘too expensive’ to be rebuilt into a pub.

The Hill Head resident added: ‘I fear for the future.’

Discussing the devastation, another neighbour said: ‘I don’t know what happened but it’s been quite a shock.’

The upmarket pub and restaurant built during the Victorian era offers stunning views across the Solent and towards the Isle of Wight. 

It is thought to have served as an unofficial mess for members of the Special Boat Section during World War Two.

Locals claimed members of the armed forces used to attend meetings in the public house during WW2 and some of their boats were stored underneath. 

It was also regularly frequented by Sir Alf Ramsey – the manager who guided England to victory at the 1966 World Cup – during the 1960s.

People are being advised to avoid the Hill Head Road area due to there being a large number of emergency vehicles. Residents are also being told to keep their windows shut due to the thick smoke.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said 10 fire engines and two water carriers were at work to put out the fire. 

Matt Kearsey, Managing Director at Hall & Woodhouse, which runs the pub, said: ‘A serious fire broke out at the Osborne View Hotel in Fareham in the early hours of this morning (Thursday February 22).

‘Thankfully, all team onsite evacuated before coming to any harm. The wellbeing of all those affected is our primary concern and we will be providing support and reassurance to all those who require it.

‘Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service were quickly in attendance and are helping to bring the fire under control. I would like to pass on my deepest gratitude to the emergency crews for their swift action and bravery.

‘We will be supporting the emergency services fully in any forthcoming investigation into the cause of the fire.’

The pub is named after Osborne House, which was the residential home of HM Queen Victoria.

This can be seen from the pub on a clear day across the Solent on the Isle of Wight.

Famous for its garden and outside terrace with sea views, it’s a perfect summer spot.

Group manager Karl Manners from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said the loss of the pub is a ‘Devastating blow to the community’.

He said: ‘We are certainly going to be present here for the rest of today.

‘We have just taken over from the night staff who have been tackling the blaze throughout the early hours of the morning.

‘Our next procedures are to make sure that all flames have been extinguished, and the building is structurally sound. There is a potential that the gas is still live in the building. We are now working with Scottish Power to get that resolved as quickly as we can.

‘Once we are happy, all hotspots have been extinguished, the building is secured and the gas is no longer live, we will then hand over to other agencies and leave the scene.

‘It’s fair to say that this is a significant fire that has devastated a really well-known and loved landmark within the area.

‘There is a huge loss structurally in terms of the building, financially for the owners and also a devastating blow to the community.’