THIS is the dramatic moment last night when firefighters tackled a blaze at a Hampshire hotel.

Crews from across Hampshire rushed to save the now gutted Upland Park Hotel in Droxford.

Crews from Wickham, Droxford and Bishops Waltham also rushed to tackle the fire which engulfed the first floor and roof of the derelict hotel.

Residents saw columns of smoke coming from the site on Garrison Hill at 8pm Tuesday evening.

The fire, which was also attended by crews from Southsea and Portchester, was brought under control with the aid of an aerial ladder platform, three jets and a hose reel jet, before the scene was cleared at 10.48pm.

READ: Firefighters tackle blaze at Upland Park Hotel

Originally built in the 1930s the hotel closed its doors in 2012 and the entire 7.54 acre site was sold to a private developer, Eider Developments for an undisclosed sum.

After several failed attempts to convert the site into a residential estate, in September, last year, plans were approved which would see the abandoned hotel demolished and the site redeveloped into a holiday park, complete with 22 low impact woodland.

Since the sale the site has laid dormant and become notorious for teenagers breaking in and vandalising the property, smashing windows, and scrawling graffiti on the walls.