Seafront hotel passed fire inspection before blaze

A fire broke out at the Royal Albion Hotel in Brighton on 15 July in 2023

A seafront hotel passed a fire inspection less than a year before a blaze tore through the building, a Freedom of Information request has revealed.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service documents showed the Royal Albion Hotel in Brighton passed a fire safety audit in September 2022 - months before the blaze in July 2023.

The report stated that evidence showed the listed site had "preventative and protective measures" in place.

The fire in July was believed to have been caused by a discarded cigarette.

The September 2022 inspection form said some "deficiencies" included a "lack of fire stopping" within the electrical riser cupboards, which were discussed with staff at the hotel.

Staff at the Britannia Hotel-run site were praised for having a "professional and pro-active attitude towards their fire safety responsibilities".

The report said there was an "effective emergency plan and policy" in place.

Evidence was given to show all staff undertook regular basic fire safety training and were aware of the procedures.

During the fire in July 2023, there was only one injury, which was someone with smoke in their eyes.

A report following the fire said it spread quickly due to a combination of aged, dry timber within the window frame, significant wind speed blowing directly against the window frame, the lath and plaster construction of walls and ceilings within the surrounding rooms, and hidden voids.

Demolition work began on the 200-year-old hotel shortly after the fire as Brighton and Hove City Council said parts of the building were "no longer structurally safe".

Britannia Hotels has been contacted for a comment.