Two dead and many injured in fire at hotel in Prague

At least two people have died and seven more seriously injured in a fire at a 19th century hotel in the centre of Prague.

The fire has broken out at the four-star Eurostars David Hotel, blocks away from the Vltava River and near the Czech capital's National Theatre.

The Czech Fire Rescue Service said 40 people were evacuated after the blaze broke out on Saturday.

"I can confirm we could not help two people," Prague ambulance spokeswoman Jana Postova said.

"We are treating seven people, of them three are in a serious condition. Two needed lung ventilation."

Martin Kavka, spokesman for the Prague fire brigade, said they were called to the blaze at 5pm and  it took firefighters two hours to bring it under control.

"There are two (deaths) but we are afraid that won't be the final figure," Petr Kolouch, director of the Prague Emergency Medical Service said.

"Three people were resuscitated. One has already managed to restore circulation."

The cause of the fire which started on the ground floor is not yet known.

The Foreign Office says it has not yet been made aware if any British nationals have been affected.

The 76-room hotel is a 19th century Bohemian, Neo-Renaissance palace, which has been renovated and has kept many original features, including its high ceilings and impressive wooden flights of stairs.