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Exeter fire wrecks 'oldest hotel in England' Exeter fire wrecks 'oldest hotel in England'
(about 1 hour later)
Hundreds of firefighters are battling a blaze which has ripped through buildings in Exeter, including the "oldest hotel in England".Hundreds of firefighters are battling a blaze which has ripped through buildings in Exeter, including the "oldest hotel in England".
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.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.
About 110 firefighters, police and paramedics are at the blaze, which began at about 05:20 BST. Guests have described being evacuated from the building, which dates back to 1769, amid flames, ash and debris.
Historian Dr Todd Gray said the buildings were "hugely significant".Historian Dr Todd Gray said the buildings were "hugely significant".
Latest on the fire, and other Devon newsLatest on the fire, and other Devon news
He said: "It's the building where they first declared themselves as a hotel, before that we had inns, but they took the new French word and applied it to their building. This was the place to stay. Hotel guest Lucy, from Australia, told Radio Devon: "I was woken up by the fire alarm at five o'clock. Someone was banging on the door and all I could see were orange flames through the window.
"All these buildings have medieval origins and the buildings in between are very fine 17th century buildings of Exeter at its height. So whatever you see from the outside, it's got a deeper, more interesting past just behind the plasterwork. "I grabbed my passport there was a lot of fiery ash falling down. The building was totally in flames."
"It's hugely significant for Exeter." A Canon at Exeter Cathedral said she had seen "flying debris".
Assistant Chief Constable Bill Skelly confirmed that a level of alert called Gold Command has been declared because of the seriousness of the incident. Anna Norman Walker, who can see the fire from her window, 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 Canon at Exeter Cathedral said she had seen "flying debris".
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 hotel has been evacuated and all staff and residents are accounted for. There are no reported casualties.The hotel has been evacuated and all staff and residents are accounted for. There are no reported casualties.
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."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."
The fire service said air is being pumped through Costa and Laura Ashley - which are close to the buildings - to stop the fire spreading. Talking about the hotel's history, Mr Gray said: "It's the building where they first declared themselves as a hotel, before that we had inns, but they took the new French word and applied it to their building. This was the place to stay.
"All these buildings have medieval origins and the buildings in between are very fine 17th century buildings of Exeter at its height. So whatever you see from the outside, it's got a deeper, more interesting past just behind the plasterwork.
"It's hugely significant for Exeter."
Analysis: Historian Dr Todd GrayAnalysis: Historian Dr Todd Gray
Cathedral Green was the medieval hub of the city. It's not only where the church was concentrated, but it was the business hub of the city from the 15th to 18th centuries. This is where all the trade took place, this is where you did your business deals.Cathedral Green was the medieval hub of the city. It's not only where the church was concentrated, but it was the business hub of the city from the 15th to 18th centuries. This is where all the trade took place, this is where you did your business deals.
It was also where the anti slavery people met in the 1700s and 1800s, where they planned abolition.It was also where the anti slavery people met in the 1700s and 1800s, where they planned abolition.
Beatrix Potter came here in 1892 and looked out and said 'what a fine view this is'. It was the place to be.Beatrix Potter came here in 1892 and looked out and said 'what a fine view this is'. It was the place to be.
But the hotel had a murkier past later on when it was where the fascists met in the 1930s.But the hotel had a murkier past later on when it was where the fascists met in the 1930s.
Millions of people over the years have poured into the close to have a look.Millions of people over the years have poured into the close to have a look.
Gentlemen would rent rooms all year just to have a presence in Exeter.Gentlemen would rent rooms all year just to have a presence in Exeter.
To lose this would be a great tragedy for Exeter. It's a key building - it's the heart of the city.To lose this would be a great tragedy for Exeter. It's a key building - it's the heart of the city.
About 110 firefighters, police and paramedics are at the blaze, which began at about 05:20 BST.
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.