A derelict lodge in a seaside city has been destroyed after being intentionally set on fireplace – its second fireplace inside 48 hours.
The lodge has been fully destroyed (Picture: Newton Abbot Fireplace Station)
A lodge in Torquay, Devon, has been fully destroyed after being set on fireplace twice in two days. Police have now informed DevonLive that the large blaze which broke out on Sunday afternoon is being handled as a potential arson. The hearth engulfed the deserted Sherwood Resort on Belgrave Highway on April 5 leaving the constructing structurally ‘unsafe.’
A spokesperson from the Devon and Somerset Fireplace and Rescue Service mentioned the disused lodge has been ‘100% destroyed by fireplace’ which had a ‘deliberate trigger.’ Round 90 firefighters attended the scene. Emergency crews had additionally been known as to the lodge on Friday night lower than 48 hours earlier for a earlier blaze.
The lodge was beforehand dubbed “Britain’s worst” (Picture: UK Torbay Climate Watcher/Fb)
The service’s group commanding officer Ben Williams mentioned the fireplace had consumed a number of flooring inside the constructing and the roof had fully collapsed within the blaze.
A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police mentioned: “An investigation into the incident and the reason for the fireplace is ongoing right now.
“If anybody has data or has any CCTV footage, doorbell footage and so forth, please contact police on 101 and quote log quantity 348 of 05/04/2026.”
Shortly after the fireplace, Devon and Cornwall Police urged native residents to maintain home windows and doorways shut because of the smoke.
It mentioned: “Please keep away from the world in the meanwhile. The recommendation is for residents, and notably these nearest to the lodge, to shut all home windows and doorways to forestall any well being points.
Police utilized a closure order in October 2025 after the constructing ceased taking paying visitors and fell into severe disrepair amid experiences of anti‑social behaviour.
The order meant solely authorised folks might enter the property for a interval of three months, successfully eradicating it from use as a functioning lodge.
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In earlier years, the Sherwood Palm Resort had been a well-regarded, family-run institution, well-liked with holidaymakers visiting Torquay and the English Riviera.
Over time, nonetheless, its fame declined and it received ranked final out of 77 inns in Torquay on TripAdvisor, with some guests evaluating it to “Fawlty Towers” as a consequence of its deteriorating and rundown situation.
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