 were called at about 5.30pm to the Royal Albion Hotel in the city, which is packed with people celebrating the Trans Pride march. Flames were spotted erupting from the third floor of the busy hotel and residents were told to keep doors and windows closed for the time being. Grey smoke was seen billowing across the seafront nearby. A spokesman for ESFR said of the emergency: "We were called at 17:24 to a fire on Old Steine, Brighton. "Currently we have six appliances and an ariel ladder platform in attendance. Please close windows and doors and avoid the area." They later added twelve appliances are now at the scene. Sussex Police reiterated calls for people to stay away from the vicinity of the fire. The force said in a statement: "We are supporting the fire service at the Royal Albion Hotel in Old Steine in Brighton. "The Old Steine and part of Kings Road have been closed while the incident is ongoing. We are asking the public to please avoid the area. "Thank you for your patience and understanding." We'll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story. Please check back regularly for updates on this developing story HERE . Get email updates on the day's biggest stories straight to your inbox by signing up for our newsletters . Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you by following The Mirror every time you see our name. Join The Mirror's WhatsApp Community - CLICK HERE Follow The Mirror on Google News - CLICK HERE and click the star Follow The Mirror on Apple News - CLICK HERE available on Apple devices Follow The Mirror on Flipboard - CLICK HERE){kind=link}
A team of twelve fire appliances are battling a major blaze at the Royal Albion Hotel in Brighton, West Sussex, this evening as residents were urged to stay away from the area
A huge fire has broken out at a hotel in Brighton, as emergency services urged people to stay away from the scene.
East Sussex Fire and Rescue (ESFR) were called at about 5.30pm to the Royal Albion Hotel in the city, which is packed with people celebrating the Trans Pride march. Flames were spotted erupting from the third floor of the busy hotel and residents were told to keep doors and windows closed for the time being.
Grey smoke was seen billowing across the seafront nearby amid fears the high winds were hampering efforts to fight the blaze.
Police have moved hundreds of people away from the scene as fears grew the building could collapse.