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Source of hotel fire investigated Source of hotel fire investigated
(about 1 hour later)
Investigators are trying to discover the source of a fire at the Grand Hotel in Brighton that forced the evacuation of hundreds of guests and employees.Investigators are trying to discover the source of a fire at the Grand Hotel in Brighton that forced the evacuation of hundreds of guests and employees.
No-one was hurt but staff and about 400 guests left after a fire broke out on the sixth floor of the seafront hotel.No-one was hurt but staff and about 400 guests left after a fire broke out on the sixth floor of the seafront hotel.
The blaze started at about 2000 GMT on Saturday, but was quickly put out. Staff were praised for their calmness.The blaze started at about 2000 GMT on Saturday, but was quickly put out. Staff were praised for their calmness.
In 1984, the Grand Hotel was the target of an assassination attempt on the then-prime minister, Margaret Thatcher.In 1984, the Grand Hotel was the target of an assassination attempt on the then-prime minister, Margaret Thatcher.
Sussex Police chief inspector, Laurence Taylor, praised the hotel staff for their composure.Sussex Police chief inspector, Laurence Taylor, praised the hotel staff for their composure.
He told the BBC: "The hotel staff have well-practised drills. They carried out a very quick evacuation."He told the BBC: "The hotel staff have well-practised drills. They carried out a very quick evacuation."
One of the guests staying at the Grand, John Mills, said he went to the fire assembly point next to the hotel after the alarm was raised.
Calm and efficientCalm and efficient
Many hotel guests were able to return to their rooms overnight except where water damage had been caused during the operation to put out the flames.
Hotel general manager Jeremy Rata said: "The fire brigade are undertaking a full investigation and a small section of the hotel will be closed to the public until this is complete."
The whole operation as far as we are concerned went very well Ian AlexanderEast Sussex fire service
Group commander Ian Alexander, of East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, said the fire started in a sixth-floor bedroom.
It was initially though to have begun on a lower floor but Mr Alexander said: "The extraction system was taking the smoke from the sixth floor and pumping it down.
"The whole operation as far as we are concerned went very well."
One of the guests staying at the Grand, John Mills, said he went to the fire assembly point next to the hotel after the alarm was raised.
He said that guests were evacuated to the nearby Hilton Brighton Metropole hotel, where they were given tea, coffee and sandwiches and silver thermal blankets.He said that guests were evacuated to the nearby Hilton Brighton Metropole hotel, where they were given tea, coffee and sandwiches and silver thermal blankets.
Mr Mills told the BBC the entire evacuation had been calm and efficient.Mr Mills told the BBC the entire evacuation had been calm and efficient.
Road closed
Duty manager of the Metropole, Janet Ridge, said: "We are helping wherever we can."Duty manager of the Metropole, Janet Ridge, said: "We are helping wherever we can."
It was unclear how Saturday's blaze started, but there are no reports of any injuries.It was unclear how Saturday's blaze started, but there are no reports of any injuries.
East Sussex Fire Service sent 10 fire engines and an aerial platform vehicle to the scene.East Sussex Fire Service sent 10 fire engines and an aerial platform vehicle to the scene.
For a time, Kings Road, which runs along the seafront, was closed to traffic in both directions.For a time, Kings Road, which runs along the seafront, was closed to traffic in both directions.
Five people were killed in an IRA bomb attack on the Grand Hotel during the 1984 Conservative Party Conference.Five people were killed in an IRA bomb attack on the Grand Hotel during the 1984 Conservative Party Conference.
The prime minister escaped unscathed but Conservative MP, Sir Anthony Berry, was killed. The wife of the trade and industry secretary, Norman Tebbit, was paralysed.The prime minister escaped unscathed but Conservative MP, Sir Anthony Berry, was killed. The wife of the trade and industry secretary, Norman Tebbit, was paralysed.


Have you been affected by the fire at the Grand Hotel in Brighton? Were you in the area at the time? Send us your comments on the form below:Have you been affected by the fire at the Grand Hotel in Brighton? Were you in the area at the time? Send us your comments on the form below:
There was a large cloud of smoke in the sky in the grand hotel area. we were very worried as we own a flat in nearby regency square. it became clear that this was a massive fire.Will Tracey, Brunswick Terrace, HoveThere was a large cloud of smoke in the sky in the grand hotel area. we were very worried as we own a flat in nearby regency square. it became clear that this was a massive fire.Will Tracey, Brunswick Terrace, Hove
We're working a rather long and uneventful late shift at a building in town and we noticed the smoke from our balcony - first thought it was the car park or shopping centre. We commend the bbc website for ending our speculation so quickly!Emma, Ricoh, Shaun, Sian, Oscar and Luke, InkfishWe're working a rather long and uneventful late shift at a building in town and we noticed the smoke from our balcony - first thought it was the car park or shopping centre. We commend the bbc website for ending our speculation so quickly!Emma, Ricoh, Shaun, Sian, Oscar and Luke, Inkfish
My friend is staying this weekend and her husband is in Brighton staying next to the Grand. He's OK but obviously concerned about the poor people at the Grand. Out thoughts are with them.Ian, LondonMy friend is staying this weekend and her husband is in Brighton staying next to the Grand. He's OK but obviously concerned about the poor people at the Grand. Out thoughts are with them.Ian, London
its a tragedy that such an amazing landmark might be destroyed by fire...Send in fireman sam, he's the hero next door. jamie brown, brightonits a tragedy that such an amazing landmark might be destroyed by fire...Send in fireman sam, he's the hero next door. jamie brown, brighton
Doesn't look much of a major incident - Kings Road is open in both directions, and the police are standing around chatting.Ian, BrightonDoesn't look much of a major incident - Kings Road is open in both directions, and the police are standing around chatting.Ian, Brighton
I arrived outside the hotel as the first fire engine arrived. Smoke was bellowing from the top floor. There were about 200 people outside on the seafront where the police closed the road. I thought the fire was on the top floor so if it started in the basement it must have severe internal damage! I counted at lease 8 fire appliances on scene and several police vehicles.Leigh Brand, BrightonI arrived outside the hotel as the first fire engine arrived. Smoke was bellowing from the top floor. There were about 200 people outside on the seafront where the police closed the road. I thought the fire was on the top floor so if it started in the basement it must have severe internal damage! I counted at lease 8 fire appliances on scene and several police vehicles.Leigh Brand, Brighton
Was just on the seafront and saw a couple who had been evacuated - they said it was in the basement but has been put out now.Anna, Brighton, UkWas just on the seafront and saw a couple who had been evacuated - they said it was in the basement but has been put out now.Anna, Brighton, Uk
I arrived outside the hotel as the first fire engine arrived. Smoke was bellowing from the top floor. There were about 200 people outside on the seafront where the police closed the road. I thought the fire was on the top floor so if it started in the basement it must have severe internal damage! I counted at lease 8 fire appliances on scene and several police vehicles.Leigh Brand, BrightonI arrived outside the hotel as the first fire engine arrived. Smoke was bellowing from the top floor. There were about 200 people outside on the seafront where the police closed the road. I thought the fire was on the top floor so if it started in the basement it must have severe internal damage! I counted at lease 8 fire appliances on scene and several police vehicles.Leigh Brand, Brighton
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