FIRE crews from four Isle of Wight towns were involved in tackling a blaze at Sandown's Grand Hotel yesterday afternoon (Sunday).

Firefighters were called to the Culver Parade hotel at approximately 4pm ­— after a large fire had broken out at the rear of the premises.

Smoke was issuing from the building as crews from Newport, Ryde, Sandown and Shanklin arrived at the scene.

A spokesperson for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue service said the blaze had caused 80 per cent damage to a single-storey building.

The fire was extinguished using one main jet, one safety jet, two hose reels and four sets of breathing apparatus.

Firefighters dampened down the scene and checked for hotspots before returning to station at 5.41pm.