The Royal Clarence Hotel in Exeter says all its guests and staff were evacuated safely following a fire at a neighbouring building this morning.
The hotel claims to be the oldest in England, having adopted the name ‘hotel’ from the French when most such establishments were called inns.
Over 100 firefighters, police and paramedics were attending the blaze which is believed to have started before dawn at a nearby art gallery opposite Exeter Cathedral.
A spokesperson from the hotel said: “We are continuing to monitor the situation and send our sympathy to our neighbours and all those affected by the fire.”
As a result of the fire, Queen Street, High Street, Cathedral Green and other surrounding roads are closed.
Savage what happening to the royal clarence hotel @ExpressandEcho pic.twitter.com/EEjLq4SqMX
— A R R O N | S P R Y (@aaronspry) October 28, 2016
This is awful. The fire on Cathedral Green in #Exeter has now spread to The Royal Clarence Hotel. pic.twitter.com/RCAp0jh2s8
— James Vickery (@jsvickery) October 28, 2016
Fire is ongoing at Royal Clarence Hotel in #Exeter. About 120 firefighters are dealing with the challenging fire https://t.co/shi9omHUil pic.twitter.com/vFwPPb85N1
— Devon&Somerset Fire (@DSFireUpdates) October 28, 2016
Flames take further hold of Royal Clarence Hotel in Exeter. pic.twitter.com/pBB11MQwZN
— Spotlight (@BBCSpotlight) October 28, 2016
