About 35 firefighters from across the Isle of Wight tackled a fire at the derelict Ryde Theatre/Ryde Town Hall, on Lind Street on Wednesday night (26th August 2026).
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said its control room received a large number of emergency calls reporting the blaze.
The service sent crews from Ryde, Newport, Sandown and Shanklin to the scene at about 11.30pm.
Police treating fire as arson
The fire service told police it believes the blaze was started deliberately, and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary has been informed.
Smoke was issuing from the building and the fire had broken through the roof by the time engines arrived.
Residents told to close windows
Firefighters used hose reels and jets to tackle the flames.
The fire service asked the public to stay away from the scene and told nearby residents to close their doors and windows because of smoke in the area.
Crews brought the fire under control and scaled back the operation shortly after 3am, when most resources left the scene.
Relief crews dampen hotspots
Relief crews from Cowes and East Cowes stayed at the scene to monitor the building and dampen down remaining hotspots.
Firefighters delivered fire prevention advice to nearby addresses before leaving the scene shortly after 7am.
One crew has returned this morning to reinspect the building and check for further hotspots.
Lind Street has reopened, but Market Street is closed.
