Emergency services scrambled to extinguish a huge fire in southern England on Thursday morning as a 400-year-old hotel housing Ukrainian refugees caught ablaze, it has been reported. The Angel Inn, in Midhurst, West Sussex, caught on fire after a historic building nearby on North Street erupted into flames. More than 30 people were evacuated from the hotel, among them refugees who fled the war in Ukraine. At least three fire services rushed to the scene at 2am on Thursday morning to battle the flames and contain the incident.
Images taken from the scene showed the roof of the Angel Inn collapsing as a nearby fire spread to the hotel.
Residents in the area were told to keep windows and doors closed as smoke fills the area.
One local who lives opposite the hotel said the Angel Inn was “gutted” by the fire, according to Sussex Live.
Hilton Holloway, a motoring journalist, said a fire alarm went off in a nearby restaurant just after 1am. The fire was relatively contained but within 20 minutes it had spread and intensified.
He said he spoke to one young Ukrainian woman who had been staying at the Inn and subsequently evacuated, who seemed “relatively calm”.
But shortly after his conversation, the huge fire intensified as dozens of firefighters and multiple crews rushed to the scene.
Richard Abbot from West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service said: “In the early hours of this morning we were called to a significant fire in a hotel in Midhurst.
“Firefighters are currently working hard to bring the incident under control and 14 fire engines are in attendance.
“More than 30 people were safely evacuated from the hotel and we are currently working with our partners from Surrey, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Services, Sussex Police to bring the incident to a safe resolution.”
He added: “We are advising residents to keep windows and doors closed as there is large amounts of smoke in the area.
“It is too early in the incident to know the cause of the fire but we will be investigating as soon as it is safe to do so.”
West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, who were tackling the blaze, earlier said: “We are currently dealing with a significant fire at a hotel in North Street, Midhurst.
“Ten fire engines, an aerial ladder platform, water carrier & off-road vehicle are currently at the scene. If in the local area, please keep your windows shut due to the amount of smoke.”
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