Eastbourne fire: Historic Claremont Hotel gutted by devastating blaze

A seafront hotel in Eastbourne has been engulfed in flames after a fire broke out in its basement.

The Grade II star listed Claremont Hotel, which was evacuated after the blaze started at around 8.50am, was gutted by the fire.

The East Sussex Fire Service said everyone had been accounted for after the building was evacuated.

Paramedics treated six people for minor injuries and one was taken to hospital for breathing difficulties.

Some 60 firefighters were sent to the scene with 12 fire engines.

Video of the blaze shows flames spilling out of the hotel windows and roof, with black smoke billowing into the sky as a crowd watches on.

The fire service warned people to keep their doors and windows closed and asked people to avoid the seafront.

An earlier statement from the fire department said: “East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service is urging people to keep doors and windows closed and avoid the area as firefighters tackle a serious fire.

“Twelve fire engines are on the scene along with several officers, aerial ladder platforms and command support units. We have also sent a high volume pump and a specialist fire-fighting foam vehicle from Newhaven.

“There are no reports of injuries and everyone was safely evacuated from the hotel.”

Crews are using breathing apparatus and jets to tackle the blaze The fire department also tweeted a photo of firefighters pumping seawater to help deal with the fire.

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service tweeted they were providing back up. It said crew and a high volume pump had been sent to assist.