A fire at The Grand Hotel in Brighton led to the evacuation of guests this afternoon as emergency services responded swiftly to reports of smoke and the smell of burning on the sixth floor.
The East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service received the call around 2 pm and dispatched six fire engines and a ladder truck to the iconic seafront hotel. Upon arrival, firefighters equipped with hoses and oxygen tanks entered the building to assess and address the situation.
Witnesses reported seeing firefighters coming in and out of the hotel as they worked to contain the blaze. Fortunately, the fire was brought under control, but not before causing the hotel to lose power on its front side, affecting the restaurant and some guest services. Despite the power outage, the kitchen remained operational, allowing food service to continue.
Guests were evacuated around 1:45 pm and were seen gathering outside the nearby Brighton Centre. Hotel staff provided umbrellas and chairs to help them cope with the 27°C heat while waiting to return to their rooms. By 2:46 pm, the last fire engine had left the scene, expertly manoeuvring through a tight gap between two luxury cars parked in the hotel’s drop-off bay.
In a statement, Detective Inspector Ari Yoganathan, who is leading the investigation, praised the swift response of the emergency services: “Our priority is the safety of the public and ensuring the fire is fully extinguished. We will work closely with the hotel management to understand the cause of the fire.
The incident comes just over a year after a devastating fire at the Royal Albion Hotel, located opposite the Palace Pier, which destroyed a significant portion of the building. The Grand Hotel itself has a tragic history, having been targeted by the IRA in 1984 in an attack that killed five people and severely damaged its frontage.
While today’s fire at The Grand Hotel was less severe, it is a stark reminder of the risks associated with such historic buildings. Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the fire, and investigations are ongoing.
As of now, guests have been allowed back into the hotel, although those dining in the restaurant may need to do so in partial darkness until power is fully restored.
Emergency services remain on standby, and the public is advised to stay clear of the area as cleanup operations continue.
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service confirmed, “All persons accounted for, and crews have left the scene.”
The cause of the smoke remains under investigation, but normal operations at the hotel have since resumed.
