High winds hampered firefighters tackling a blaze at a hotel in Brighton, the East Sussex fire service has said.
Fifteen fire engines went to the scene just before 5.30pm on Saturday. At 5am on Sunday, the fire service said it was “scaling back operations” but six vehicles and two aerial ladder platforms remained on the scene.
Firefighters said nobody was injured but “difficult conditions” led them to evacuate people from buildings near the Royal Albion Hotel.
The Old Steine and part of Kings Road were closed with people advised to stay away from the area due to “significant smoke” which was being made worse by wind.
Brighton and Hove council opened a rest centre to provide support for people evacuated from their homes.
The 219-bedroom regency-style hotel, which overlooks Brighton Pier, was built in 1826. It is run by Britannia Hotels.
Part of the building was heritage listed and previously damaged by fire in November 1998.
Bella Sankey, leader of the council, said: “These are very sad scenes in our city this evening.
“On behalf of the city council I want to give my thanks to the emergency services for attending the fire at the historic Royal Albion Hotel in the heart of our city.
“We urge everyone to continue following advice from emergency services and to please keep away from the area.”
The fire came as thousands of people marched in city to demand equal rights on the 10th anniversary of Trans Pride Brighton.
While organisers expected between 5,000 to 10,000 people to take part – half the original estimate after a yellow weather warning for wind and rain forced a change of route – the event is believed to have attracted 30,000 protesters.
The comedian Eddie Izzard was spotted taking part while the Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas was among the speakers on the day. Brighton and Hove’s first openly trans councillor, Raphael Hill, were also addressing Trans Pride Brighton later on Saturday, which they said is “a real privilege”.
