Firefighters battling to save Britain’s oldest hotel after blaze tears through 250-year-old building
Flames tore through the building after a fire broke out in the nearby art gallery earlier this morning
FIREFIGHTERS are continuing the battle a raging inferno in Exeter this afternoon after England's "oldest hotel" became engulfed in flames earlier today.
Hundreds of firefighters are battling the blaze which has ripped through buildings in the city, including the Royal Clarence Hotel which is believed to be the country's first.
The blaze is understood to have started at an art gallery which faces Exeter Cathedral in Devon, but has now spread to the nearby Royal Clarence Hotel.
More than 100 firefighters, police and paramedics are at the scene of the fire, which began at about 5.20am today.
Desperate efforts are on-going to save hotel - which was built in 1769 and is credited as the first hotel in the country.
Historian Dr Todd Gray said the buildings were "hugely significant" as Beatrix Potter visited the hotel in 1892, looked out and said "what a fine view this is".
He said: "It was the place to be. It was where the anti-slavery people met in the 1700s and 1800s, this is where they planned abolition.
"It had a murkier past later on and it was where the fascists met in the 1930s. It's a key building for Exeter."
Dr Gray said the hotel was also the first to declare themselves as a hotel, before that they had inns.
He added: "I'm just hoping that they can contain it to the 18th Century top and not go further down. To lose this would be a great tragedy for Exeter.
"Hopefully the firemen will be able to pull off a miracle and save what is a very important building to Exeter and to millions of people over the years who pour into the close to have a look."
Witnesses, including the Canon of Exeter Cathedral Anna Norman Walker, said they could see "flying debris".
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She told the : "The main concern was a lot of debris flying from the roof of the affected building which was travelling - certainly some of it made it to the roof of the Royal Clarence Hotel."
It is understood the fire broke out at Laura Ashley and the Castle Fine Art Gallery.
Crews initially thought they had it under control but later confirmed that it has spread to other venues on the Cathedral Green - including the historic Royal Clarence.
The hotel has been evacuated and all staff and residents are accounted for. There are no reported casualties.
More than 100 firefighters are continuing to try and save the historic Royal Clarence Hotel but say their efforts are being hampered by the age of the buildings.
A spokesman for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: "The roof of the Royal Clarence Hotel is well alight, and producing a lot of smoke.
"It is a challenging and complex fire to fight.
"Firefighters are unable to enter the buildings due to the age and complexity of them.
"The fire has spread across roofs, and our aim is to prevent it from spreading downwards into the lower floors.
"Lots of timber in the buildings, and the severity of the fire, means there is a possibly it can spread to the High Street."
The fire service said air is being pumped through Costa and Laura Ashley - which are close to the buildings - to stop the fire spreading.
Work is now being done to try and save the Royal Clarence Hotel from being burnt to the ground.
A spokesman for the hotel, which is currently known as Abode, said: "Following, this morning's fire in the building next door all our guests and safe were evacuated and are all safe and accounted for.
"We are continuing to monitor the situation and send our sympathies to our neighbours and all those affected by the fire."
Witnesses to the blaze have described the hotel as being well ablaze and said it did not look good for the historic building.
Rob Sims, of Exeter, Devon, said hundreds of people were currently standing in shock and in eerie silence as the building continues to burn.
He said: "It is unbelievable. England's oldest hotel is burning.
"Most of the city centre is closed and people are being kept well away but there are hundreds of people here watching it.
"The hotel was evacuated but the roof is well alight and smoke is billowing out of it.
"You can see the flames coming out the top of it and the smoke is visible all over Exeter.
"I think it will go on all day. Hopefully the whole building won't be gutted. But it is not looking good for it.
"It is a very dramatic scene. It is such a landmark building and it is a really sad day for Exeter.
"It has stood for hundreds of years and is an iconic building.
"Everyone is just watching in an eerie silence. They are stunned. There is no panicking - but just lots of really sad faces.
"It is an unbelievable scene."
Devon and Cornwall Police said road closures were in place around the city centre.
"It is hoped to open High Street to pedestrians and public transport as soon as possible, but this is dependent on the fire service safely completing its activities at the scene of the fire on Cathedral Green," a force spokesman said.
"It is likely that Cathedral Green will remain cordoned off and not accessible to the public for some time.
"It is not known at this time how the fire started. No injuries are reported."
The Royal Clarence Hotel has stood on the same spot for 300 years and is reported to be the oldest hotel in England.
The 18th century coaching inn, which is now called the Abode Hotel, is part of the Andrew Brownsword group.
On 7th September 1770, an advert appeared using the word hôtel for the first time published by the landlord, the Frenchman, Pierre Berlon.
Over the years its esteemed guests have included Lord Nelson, Beatrix Potter and Thomas Hardy among many others.
The father of the future Queen Victoria was also embalmed there after dying during a visit to nearby Sidmouth. Edward, the Duke of Kent was kept ahead of his return to Windsor on January 23, 1820.
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