Firefighters battle blaze at historic Brighton hotel for more than 36 hours

Emergency services are “beginning to scale back” operations at the scene of a blaze at historic 200-year-old Royal Albion hotel in Brighton after more than 36 hours.

The fire at the Royal Albion hotel broke out on Saturday evening from a fourth-floor room in the hotel.

The fire began just before 5.30pm and spread to the second floor.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS) said no-one was injured but “difficult conditions” meant people had to be evacuated from nearby buildings.

Emergency services cordoned off the Old Steine and Kings Road and people were told to stay away due to "significant smoke" made worse by wind. The public were urged to close windows and doors and avoid the seafront.

According to The Guardian, hotel staff are understood to have found other accommodation for all guests and, of the approximately 100 people evacuated from the surrounding area, many are taking refuge at a temporary rest centre set up by the council.

Throughout the weekend firefighters tackled the blaze at the Britannia-run hotel. At its height, 15 fire engines were at the scene with firefighters from Preston Circus, Newhaven, Hove, Lewes, Eastbourne, Pevensey, and fire engines from West Sussex brought in to help tackle the blaze.

In an update on Monday morning (17 July), the fire service said it is “beginning to scale back operations”, but “crews are monitoring hot spots and a fire break”.

Writing on Twitter on Sunday morning (16 July), Bella Sankey, the leader of Brighton and Hove Council, said: “Sadly the fire at the Royal Albion continues today.

"Heartfelt thanks to our emergency who worked to contain it overnight.”

The 208-bedroom hotel opened in 1826 and has played host to a number of famous names including playwright Oscar Wilde, poet Arnold Bennett and 19th-century philanthropist Angela Burdett-Coutts.

This is the second time in almost 25 years that a major fire has broken out at the hotel. The historic hotel was gutted when a fire broke out on the morning of November 24, 1998.

Britannia hotels has been approached for comment.

Image: Brighton and Hove Police Twitter