A thick cloud of smoke hung over part of Ryde seafront this week, prompting a call to Isle of Wight fire crews, as well as concerns about burning activity on the site of the former Harcourt Sands holiday park.
Site manager DFT Property Management called the incident an 'unfortunate accident', which happened when an ember from a burn caught an insulated panel - part of the roof structure of the old indoor swimming pool, which is being demolished.
Meanwhile, objections have been lodged with the Isle of Wight Council over a planning application for 14 K-Haus units, for which the developer is seeking approval for reserved matters, covering appearance and landscaping.
A decision on a second application - which seeks permission to move roads on the site bordering Puckpool Park, Appley Park and Ryde seafront - is expected to be made in April.
Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue crews from Ryde and Sandown, along with a water carrier from Freshwater, were called to Harcourt Sands on Monday morning.
By Martin Gomez
Smoke from the fire was photographed by passers-by in Appley and surrounding areas.
One told the County Press: "It was thick and black. I was some way away. There was very obvious concern about the material being burnt."
The Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said foam and aluminium panels were involved in Monday's fire.
DFT Property Management thanked firefighters, saying they were called to the site after those on the ground made their own efforts to contain it, when it quickly and unexpectedly spread to other material.
Scroll down to see what the new K-Haus developments could look like...
Nick Herridge, who has links to Harcourt Sands back to 2006, when it closed, said burns are only carried out under license and demolition has been controlled and professional.
He said discussions had been taking place with Ryde Town Council, the Isle of Wight Council and ward member Reg Barry, who had not responded to the County Press's request for a comment at the time of going to print.
On Wednesday, meanwhile, clearance work was continuing, with huge piles of rubble and gravel on site showing the scale of the project.
A planning application, requesting approval for the appearance and landscaping of 14 units, is currently live on the Isle of Wight Council's website and Islanders can comment until April 13.
A number of objections have already been lodged.
The Ryde Society said the application covers a fraction of the full scale of the project, warning of a lack of clarity and raising a question about the future of other plots.
DFT Property Management says the plan is to develop individual parts of the site at any one time, starting with the seafront area, so new residents do not overlook building work.
Its current plan is for reserve matters around 14 K-Haus properties - German-made prefabricated buildings, which can be fitted together on site and there is an ambition to make the former holiday park a UK leader for the brand.
Above and below: The K-Haus planning designs (subject to approval)
The Ryde Society says the planned units are "too conspicuous", calling for wood to be used instead.
Ryde Town Council's councillor Phil Jordan said he backs the principle of regeneration, but told the CP he thought the planned units were more suited to the Spanish island of Majorca, than Ryde.
Meanwhile, Islander Glenys Shepherd, who lives in Wootton, regularly cleans the beach between Ryde and Seaview.
She has told the County Press of her concerns about plastic pollution, along that stretch of coastline.
Nick Herridge from DFT Property Management said: "It would be lovely to see something done with the site.
"The work is being done professionally and Monday's fire was an unfortunate incident.
"We're very conscientious. The wind has to be in a particular direction if we burn materials and fires have to be kept in burning bins."
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