This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-64975302

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Midhurst fire: Historic hotel 'housing refugees' engulfed by blaze Midhurst fire: Historic hotel housing refugees engulfed by blaze
(about 2 hours later)
Four people were treated at the scene but did not require hospital treatmentFour people were treated at the scene but did not require hospital treatment
A 400-year-old hotel in West Sussex that was reportedly housing Ukrainian refugees has been engulfed by a major blaze. A 400-year-old hotel that was housing Ukrainian refugees has been engulfed by a major blaze.
The fire is believed to have started in a property in North Street, Midhurst, on Thursday morning before spreading to the roof of the Angel Inn. The fire started in a property in North Street, Midhurst, in the early hours, before spreading to the roof of the Angel Inn hotel next door.
More than 30 people have been evacuated from the buildings, West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (WSFRS) said. More than 30 people, including "a number" of Ukrainian refugees, have been evacuated, West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said.
Four people were treated at the scene but did not require hospital treatment.Four people were treated at the scene but did not require hospital treatment.
Firefighters, police and paramedics remain at the scene. Local resident Hilton Holloway, who witnessed the fire, said some children were evacuated from the hotel, which he said had about 15 rooms.
The cause of the fire is not yet known and road closures are in place. "I spoke to one young woman who seemed relatively calm," he added.
Midhurst Town Council arranged a donation point nearby for those who have been affected.
A council spokesperson said the site no longer required clothes, but welcomed toiletries, suitcases, phone charges, underwear and women's shoes.
A total of 15 fire engines and two aerial ladder platforms were sent to the sceneA total of 15 fire engines and two aerial ladder platforms were sent to the scene
Local resident Hilton Holloway, who witnessed the fire, said around 30 people, including some children, were evacuated from the hotel. The cause of the fire is not yet known and road closures are in place. Firefighters, police and paramedics remain at the scene.
"There were a number of Ukrainian refugees in the hotel, which had around 15 rooms," he said. The fire brigade said crews were called to North Street at 01:08 GMT, and 15 fire engines and two aerial ladder platforms were deployed.
"I spoke to one young woman who seemed relatively calm." Firefighters were met with a "significant fire in the roof space" at the hotel, which spread to neighbouring properties, a spokesman said.
WSFRS said crews were called to North Street at 01:08 GMT on Thursday. "More than 30 people, including a number of Ukrainian refugees, were safely evacuated from the buildings, and they are now being looked after in a local relief centre," he added.
A total of 15 fire engines and two aerial ladder platforms were sent to the scene. More than 30 people, including a number of Ukrainian refugees, were evacuated
Firefighters, police and paramedics remain at the scene Speaking at the scene, the brigade's area manager, Richard Abbot, said: "We are advising residents to keep their windows and doors closed as there is large amounts of smoke in the area.
A WSFRS spokesman said firefighters were met with a "significant fire in the roof space" at the hotel, which spread to neighbouring properties.
A relief centre has been set up in Midhurst for those that have been displaced.
WSFRS said North Street is expected to be closed for some time.
Speaking at the scene, WSFRS area manager Richard Abbot said: "We are advising residents to keep their windows and doors closed as there is large amounts of smoke in the area.
"It's too early in the incident to know the cause of the fire, however we will be investigating the fire as soon as it is safe to do so.""It's too early in the incident to know the cause of the fire, however we will be investigating the fire as soon as it is safe to do so."
Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on Twitter, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk.Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on Twitter, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
West Sussex Fire and Rescue ServiceWest Sussex Fire and Rescue Service
MidhurstMidhurst