Emergency services raced to the Imperial Hotel on First Avenue, Hove, after a fire erupted on Tuesday afternoon (23 December 2025).
Blaze Ignites on Fourth Floor
At 3.11pm, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service received urgent calls reporting smoke on the hotel’s fourth floor. Fire crews arrived swiftly and confirmed a fire in a room by 3.45pm.
Firefighters Launch Full-Scale Attack
The high-rise blaze sparked a major emergency response. Firefighters deployed multiple engines, one main jet, breathing apparatus, and an aerial ladder platform to tackle the flames head-on.
Guests Evacuated Safely, No Injuries
All hotel guests and staff were evacuated as a safety measure. Police and ambulance teams assisted at the scene. Thankfully, no injuries have been reported.
East Sussex Fire and Rescue spokesperson: “We advise the public to avoid the area while emergency crews continue to deal with the incident.”
Update 4.15pm: Firefighters used six breathing apparatus sets, cutting away and damping down to fully extinguish the blaze. More updates are expected.
