Quick progress and hard work by Isle of Wight firefighters helped stop fire spreading through a former hotel in Sandown on Tuesday night.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue crews from Sandown, Shanklin, Ryde, Newport, Cowes, East Cowes and Freshwater were all called to the Parkbury, at the junction of Broadway and Winchester Park Road.
Smoke was seen coming from windows and crews used an aerial ladder to fight the fire.
Winchester Park Road was partially closed and motorists were diverted.
Arriving on the scene at around 7pm and staying for about two and half hours, firefighters wore breathing apparatus and used jets to put the fire out, as well as ventilation fans to clear smoke.
The Parkbury was run successfully as a hotel until 2018 and was receiving glowing reviews on TripAdvisor.
Among the former owners was Bill Churchill (in the 1970s and 1980s).
His former son-in-law Steve Phillips said the wooden panelling on the inside was from an ocean liner and the lounges were named the Cunard White Star Lounge, the Aquitania Lounge and the Parkbury Lounge.
Tuesday's fire involved the ground and first floors and an investigation in to what happened is underway.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue's group manager Jeff Walls said: "The fire was well alight when the first crews got here but they made quick progress and worked really hard to knock the fire back."
No one was injured.
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