Part of Royal Clarence collapses as fire continues

Part of the fascia of Exeter’s historic Royal Clarence Hotel has collapsed.

Around 100 firefighters remain at the scene battling a blaze that spread from a nearby property yesterday morning.

A gas main has also ruptured adding extra pressure on emergency crews.

Workers from Wales and West Utilities have been drafted in to help deal with the situation.

The High Street is closed to traffic and pedestrians and is likely to be for some time.

Devon and Cornwall Police has asked the public to appreciate the scale and severity of the fire which has affected buildings on Exeter’s Cathedral Green and to carefully consider their travel plans by car or public transport to Exeter’s city centre.

There will also be disruption to walking routes, and police ask the public to respect the cordons that have been put in place for their safety and to allow the fire service to work efficiently. The public cannot for the time being enter or get closer to the Cathedral Green.

Representatives from Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service, Devon and Cornwall Police and from Exeter City Council issued a new joint statement this morning (Saturday 29th October) about the situation on Cathedral Green, which you watch here.

Today’s fire service report is below:

UPDATE at 0515 hrs on 29th October. A further eight fire engines have been requested to attend the incident to relief crews already at the scene. Steady progress is being made and there has been a partial collapse of the front fascia of the Royal Clarence Hotel.

UPDATE at 0700 hrs. Fire crews are still at the scene working hard to get the fire under control. Residents are asked to consider their travel arrangements around the city centre as road closures may still be in place.

UPDATE at 0815 hrs. Crews have confirmed that a gas main has ruptured inside the hotel on the ground floor, which is now well alight. Gas engineers are on site trying to isolate the gas supply. Crews are currently using fourjets, from four aerial platforms.

UPDATE at 16:25 hrs. Crews are rotating at the incident and fresh crews are arriving every hour as many have worked for long durations. Nearly all stations throughout Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue have contributed to the efforts of this incident.

Later today, the aerial ladder platforms will be reducing down to three.

A high volume pump continues to deliver water to the Incident from the River Exe

Steady progress is being made at the incident and the Fire Service are working alongside utility companies to make sure the scene is as safe as possible.