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Eastbourne's Claremont Hotel 'engulfed in flames' Eastbourne's Claremont Hotel 'engulfed in flames' as fire breaks out
(30 minutes later)
A seafront hotel has been "engulfed in flames" after a fire broke out. A Victorian seafront hotel has been "engulfed in flames" after a fire broke out in its basement.
Eastbourne's Claremont Hotel was evacuated after the blaze started at about 08:50 GMT. Staff and guests at the neighbouring Pier Hotel have also been evacuated. Eastbourne's Grade II star listed Claremont Hotel was evacuated after the blaze started at about 08:50 GMT. The Pier Hotel has also been evacuated.
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said all those inside the Claremont had been accounted for. There have been no reports of any injuries, it added. All those inside the Claremont have been accounted for and there are no reports of any injuries, the fire service said.
About 60 firefighters and 12 engines have been sent to the scene.About 60 firefighters and 12 engines have been sent to the scene.
Nearby residents have been advised to keep windows and doors closed. Roads in the area have been shut.Nearby residents have been advised to keep windows and doors closed. Roads in the area have been shut.
Flames spread from the basement of the Claremont, the fire service said. Flames spread from the basement of the Claremont, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said.
Videos and pictures posted on social media have shown flames coming out of windows and the roof.Videos and pictures posted on social media have shown flames coming out of windows and the roof.
Simon Palmer, who works at the Pier Hotel, said the Claremont was "engulfed in flames" and added the fire had "taken three-quarters of the roof away already". Simon Palmer, who works at the neighbouring Pier Hotel, said the Claremont was "engulfed in flames" and added the fire had "taken three-quarters of the roof away already".
He said he had heard a "very loud explosion" and thought parts of the hotel were collapsing.He said he had heard a "very loud explosion" and thought parts of the hotel were collapsing.
He added there was a lot of debris on the pavements and roads surrounding the hotel.He added there was a lot of debris on the pavements and roads surrounding the hotel.
Many of the guests he had spoken to were having breakfast when the blaze started so were able to escape quickly, he said.Many of the guests he had spoken to were having breakfast when the blaze started so were able to escape quickly, he said.
Eastbourne Borough Council said guests from the Claremont Hotel were being taken to the Town Hall where they were being offered refreshments and help. Eastbourne Borough Council said guests from the Claremont Hotel were being taken to the town hall where they were being offered refreshments and help.
The 72-bed hotel forms part of Eastbourne's Grand Parade on the town's seafront, close to the pier which was devastated by a fire in 2014.
The building, now comprising the Burlington Hotel and the Clarement Hotel, was constructed between 1851 and 1855 and given a Grade II star listing in 1949.