Eastbourne hotel fire: Part of historic building collapses after huge blaze | UK News

An Eastbourne seaside hotel that was ravaged by a huge fire last week has partly collapsed, making the building unstable, firefighters have said.

The blaze at the Grade II listed Victorian-era Claremont Hotel broke out on Friday in the East Sussex town.

Flames destroyed the roof and were raging inside as firefighters doused the building with water pumped from the sea.

Twelve fire engines were called to the scene but by mid-afternoon officials said it was under control.

Six people were treated for minor injuries and one person was taken to Eastbourne Hospital with breathing difficulties following the fire, the ambulance service said.

On Wednesday afternoon, part of the wrecked hotel building had collapsed, according to the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.

A spokesman for the fire service said: “We currently have firefighters back on scene at the Claremont in Eastbourne.

“Part of the building has collapsed. Building control are on scene.

“The building remains unstable. Please avoid the area. Cordons are still in place.”

Hotel staff were later praised by firefighters for their quick thinking in getting all guests clear of the building.

Everyone was safely evacuated and locals were told to keep windows shut as smoke drifted across the town.

The hotel is on the main seafront road and directly faces the town’s pier – which itself suffered a devastating fire in 2014.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue said they had been called out at 8.52am on Friday.

The cause of the fire is not yet clear.