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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Fire rages close to historic Exeter Cathedral | Fire rages close to historic Exeter Cathedral |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Hundreds of firefighters are battling a large blaze at buildings on Exeter's Cathedral Green. | |
| The fire is believed to have started at an art gallery, which faces Exeter Cathedral in Devon, but has now spread to the nearby Royal Clarence Hotel. | |
| A total of 110 firefighters, police, paramedics and 20 fire engines are at the blaze, which began at about 05:20 BST. | |
| The Canon at Exeter Cathedral said "flying debris" was the main concern. | The Canon at Exeter Cathedral said "flying debris" was the main concern. |
| Latest on the fire, and other Devon news | Latest on the fire, and other Devon news |
| Anna Norman Walker, who can see the fire from her window, earlier said: "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." | |
| The roof of the Royal Clarence - reported to be the oldest hotel in England - has now caught fire as well. | |
| The hotel has been evacuated and all staff and residents are accounted for. There are no reported casualties. | |
| The fire service said air is being pumped through Costa and Laura Ashley - which are close to the building - to stop the fire spreading. | The fire service said air is being pumped through Costa and Laura Ashley - which are close to the building - to stop the fire spreading. |
| History of Exeter Cathedral | History of Exeter Cathedral |
| Source: Exeter Cathedral Education Department | Source: Exeter Cathedral Education Department |
| Incident officer Bill Haberton, from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, said they were "throwing a lot of resources" at the fire. | Incident officer Bill Haberton, from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, said they were "throwing a lot of resources" at the fire. |
| He said: "We're going to be taking water from various locations because we're overrunning the water supply in the middle of Exeter at the moment." | He said: "We're going to be taking water from various locations because we're overrunning the water supply in the middle of Exeter at the moment." |
| A couple who live in a pub nearby evacuated for fear of the blaze spreading to their premises. | A couple who live in a pub nearby evacuated for fear of the blaze spreading to their premises. |
| 'Building went up' | 'Building went up' |
| Kirsty said the flames had gone up quickly. | Kirsty said the flames had gone up quickly. |
| She said: "We heard the noise and looked out the window and saw the flames and decided we didn't want to be there. | She said: "We heard the noise and looked out the window and saw the flames and decided we didn't want to be there. |
| "We'd seen the flames go up, it's a bit scary really. | "We'd seen the flames go up, it's a bit scary really. |
| "The pub we live in is made of wood so we didn't want to be there really." | "The pub we live in is made of wood so we didn't want to be there really." |
| Rob added: "It brings it home a bit, it's a little bit scary. You don't think a building would go up that quick but it's gone." | Rob added: "It brings it home a bit, it's a little bit scary. You don't think a building would go up that quick but it's gone." |
| As a result of the fire, Queen Street, High Street, Cathedral Green and other surrounding roads are closed. | As a result of the fire, Queen Street, High Street, Cathedral Green and other surrounding roads are closed. |