Police appeal after fire at derelict Douglas flats

A large fire has caused significant damage to a derelict block of flats in Douglas which were scheduled to be demolished.

Firefighters tackled the blaze at Sea Court, an empty building on Victoria Road, for a significant part of Sunday night, with crews staying at the scene into the early hours of Monday.

No-one was hurt, and police have asked anyone who witnessed the fire, or has footage of it, to come forward.

Police and the fire service have launched a joint investigation to establish the cause.

More than 30 fire service personnel were called following reports that the building was "well alight", with the first fire engine on the scene within five minutes of the alarm being raised.

Four fire engines, a turntable ladder, a water bowser and an incident command vehicle were sent to the scene, where firefighters worked in "challenging conditions" to stop the fire spreading to neighbouring properties.

Parts of Victoria Road and Glencrutchery Road were closed while the blaze was being brought under control, but have since reopened. A cordon remains in place around the building, which has been deemed structurally unsafe

The fire service said officers were "keeping an open mind" over the cause, and asked the public to "refrain from speculation" while investigations continue.

Sea Court, a two-storey building containing three apartments, was described as 'derelict' in planning documents.

Plans to demolish it and build a block of six two-bedroom flats were approved in June 2024, after an earlier scheme for the site was refused.

Police have asked people not to enter the property or approach the site, as it is unsafe.

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