Fears for stability of Eastbourne's Claremont Hotel after fire guts Victorian building

There are fears for the stability of Eastbourne's Claremont Hotel after a fire ravaged the Grade II-listed Victorian building.

The blaze, which broke out on Friday morning, spread throughout the hotel with fire crews finally able to confirm on Sunday evening that all remaining pockets of fire had been extinguished.

Efforts were hampered by concerns the building could collapse. In light of this engineers dug up surrounding roads to cut off the hotel's gas supply. This was successfully achieved by Sunday evening.

At the height of the fire 12 fire crews were battling the blaze, believed to have started in the basement, which spread quickly. Pictures from the scene showed flames spreading through every floor to the roof.

The 72-bedroom hotel was evacuated shortly before 9am on Friday and everyone was accounted for. Six patients were treated for minor injuries with one taken to Eastbourne Hospital with breathing difficulties.

Eastbourne Borough Council is organising support for guests as well as residents from neighbouring properties.

The hotel stretches across a row of Grade II-listed terrace houses, which are also occupied by the Burlington hotel.

The hotel is believed to be owned by Jeanne Wilson, under the Daish's Holidays group. According to the group's website Wilson acquired the hotel in 2013. The group comprises 10 hotels and 24 luxury coaches.

The cause of the fire will be investigated.