A fierce blaze erupted at the Royal Albion Hotel, a historic 200-year-old establishment in Brighton, with firefighters facing the added difficulty of strong winds hindering their efforts to contain the fire. Despite the challenging conditions, the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS) successfully evacuated nearby buildings, ensuring no injuries were reported.
The regency-style Royal Albion Hotel, situated near Brighton Pier, became engulfed in flames on Saturday evening. The adverse weather conditions aggravated the situation, resulting in significant smoke spreading throughout the area. Consequently, authorities closed off the Old Steine and Kings Road, urging the public to steer clear of the affected vicinity.
In response to the emergency, the Brighton and Hove City Council promptly established a rest center to offer support to those displaced from their homes. As Sunday morning dawned, the fire service announced a gradual reduction in their operations at the scene. The incident, which required the deployment of 15 fire engines at its peak, had now been contained to a more manageable scale.
Council leader Bella Sankey expressed her sorrow over the incident, stating, “These distressing scenes in our city tonight are deeply saddening. On behalf of the city council, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the emergency services for their swift response to the fire at the historic Royal Albion Hotel, situated at the heart of our beloved city. We urge everyone to adhere to the advice provided by the emergency services and kindly avoid the affected area.”
Firefighting teams from Preston Circus, Newhaven, Hove, Lewes, Eastbourne, Pevensey, and additional resources from West Sussex united their efforts in tackling the blaze. The Britannia Hotels-managed establishment, boasting 219 rooms and constructed in 1826, holds significant historical importance as a Grade II*-listed building by English Heritage. This unfortunate incident follows a previous fire that occurred in November 1998.
As authorities work towards a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the fire, the resilience and coordination of the emergency services deserve commendation for their prompt response in safeguarding lives and minimizing the extent of the damage.
