A major fire broke out at the Royal Albion Hotel, a prominent 200-year-old establishment situated on Brighton seafront. Firefighters from 15 fire engines rushed to the scene on Saturday to combat the blaze, which posed significant challenges due to high winds in the area.
The Royal Albion Hotel, overlooking Brighton Pier, became engulfed in flames, prompting an extensive response from emergency services. However, the strong winds hampered firefighting efforts throughout the day.
A Met Office yellow weather warning was in effect on Saturday, signalling high wind conditions across various parts of England and South Wales. The gusty winds complicated the task for firefighters as they battled to control the fire.
As of 5 am on Sunday, the fire service announced that they were scaling back operations, but teams remained present at the scene to monitor the situation. Firefighters continued to tackle the incident well into Sunday afternoon, more than 18 hours after the fire initially started.
In response to the escalating situation, authorities expanded the police cordon around the area just before midday. Over 100 individuals were evacuated from nearby buildings as a precautionary measure.
Councillor Bella Sankey, leader of the city council, expressed sadness over the incident and extended gratitude to the emergency services for their prompt response. The historic Royal Albion Hotel holds a significant place in the city, and the fire’s impact is deeply felt.
The 219-bedroom regency-style hotel, constructed in 1826, is of notable architectural and historical significance. A portion of the building has been classified as Grade II* listed by English Heritage. Unfortunately, this is not the first time the hotel has faced a fire incident, as it previously suffered a blaze in November 1998.
Currently operated by Britannia Hotels, the owner of Pontins, the Royal Albion Hotel serves as a well-known landmark along the Brighton seafront.
Authorities and fire services remain committed to fully extinguishing the fire and ensuring the safety and well-being of all affected individuals. Investigations into the cause of the fire will commence once the situation is under control, with a focus on understanding the extent of the damage and developing plans for recovery and restoration.
