Smoke visible from Haldon Hillpublished at 13:57 British Summer Time 28 October 2016
That's about nine miles away from the city centre.
Summary
Exeter blaze declared 'major incident' by fire service
The Royal Clarence Hotel - reported to be the first hotel in England - is destroyed by fire
Gold Command declared as fire crews continue to tackle blaze
Appeal to key holders in Cathedral Green to come forward as emergency services fear fire might spread
Fire crews send team to get water from River Exe
South West Water asks city residents to restrict their water use
Fire initially started in a gallery at 05:20 near Exeter Cathedral
'About 110 firefighters' are at the scene and a cordon has been set up
Firefighters from Dorset to help Devon crews
Roads are closed across the city
Updates on Friday 28 October 2016
Smoke visible from Haldon Hillpublished at 13:57 British Summer Time 28 October 2016
Special service to be held in Exeter Cathedral laterpublished at 13:50 British Summer Time 28 October 2016
Harriet Bradshaw
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End of twitter postAt the scene: 'Fire licking the reception area of the hotel'published at 13:42 British Summer Time 28 October 2016
If anyone is wondering whether the Royal Clarence Hotel has survived this fire, it hasn't.
It's devastating for everyone involved. The fire is licking the reception area of the Royal Clarence Hotel.
It's a real battle for the firefighters to save the iconic image of Cathedral Green.
Crews tackle Royal Clarence Hotel fire from three sidespublished at 13:37 British Summer Time 28 October 2016
Kirk England
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End of twitter postWhat does Gold Command mean?published at 13:35 British Summer Time 28 October 2016
Claire Jones
BBC News OnlineThe College of Policing states, external: "The generic command structure, nationally recognised, accepted and used by the police, other emergency services and partner agencies, is based on the gold, silver, bronze (GSB) hierarchy of command and can be applied to the resolution of both spontaneous incidents and planned operations.
"The terms gold, silver and bronze are used in the police service.
"However, the hierarchy of the terms strategic, tactical and operational may differ in some departments, agencies or organisations."
Photos: Crews tackle huge city blazepublished at 13:29 British Summer Time 28 October 2016
Chief fire officer expected at blazepublished at 13:22 British Summer Time 28 October 2016
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End of twitter postAt the scene: 'Heartbreaking' as buildings 'go up in smoke'published at 13:20 British Summer Time 28 October 2016
BBC Radio Devon's Richard Green: It's heartbreaking to see these historic buildings literally go up in smoke.
You sense there is such difficulty in tackling this fire because of the age and make-up of the buildings.
Some of the gaps between some of the buildings are just one of two feet. Fire crews are busy damping other buildings in the area to try and stop any embers coming from those buildings on fire.
There's a Union Jack fluttering from the hotel - it's now at an angle - at some point I'd imagine it will catch fire.
Gold Command has now been declared as fire crews continue to tackle Exeter firepublished at 13:14 British Summer Time 28 October 2016
BreakingClaire Jones
BBC News OnlineGold Command has now been declared as fire crews tackle the fire in Exeter, Assistant Chief Constable Bill Skelly has confirmed.
'About 120 firefighters' tackle hotel blazepublished at 13:05 British Summer Time 28 October 2016
Breaking
Chris Ellis
BBC News OnlineDevon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service say about 120 firefighters are tackling the "challenging" fire at Royal Clarence Hotel in Exeter.
Major incident declared in Exeter, but what does it mean?published at 13:02 British Summer Time 28 October 2016
Simon Hall, Home Affairs Correspondent
BBC SpotlightDeclaring a major incident can be done by any of the emergency services.
It establishes a pre-planned chain of command, from a control centre, usually police or fire headquarters, called gold, to a silver commander, at the location of the emergency.
The idea is to coordinate all the emergency services in working most effectively together.
A major incident also allows extra resources to be called in.
It also gives scope for calling in other agencies which may be required, such as councils and the environment agency.
'It hurts to see something so sad unfolding from home'published at 12:53 British Summer Time 28 October 2016
James Vickery
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End of twitter postExeter Chamber of Commerce 'saddened by the terrible news' of the firepublished at 12:49 British Summer Time 28 October 2016
Claire Jones
BBC News OnlineNick Baxter-Sibley, from Exeter Chamber of Commerce said: "We are saddened by the terrible news about the fire. Our thoughts are with those affected and it is great relief to know that no-one has been injured.
"The emergency services are dealing with the situation and we pay tribute to the experience and skill of the firefighters who are tackling the on-going incident.
"The premises affected have many personal and business connections with the people of Exeter and many in and around the City will feel personally touched by the sad news.
"Exeter is extremely adept at responding to challenges such as these and the chamber will support the businesses affected as best it can. The rest of Exeter is very much open for business today."
Image source, @abs_catSmoke visible across citypublished at 12:45 British Summer Time 28 October 2016
Adrian Campbell, Environment Correspondent
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End of twitter postAppeal to key holders in Cathedral Green to come forwardpublished at 12:41 British Summer Time 28 October 2016
BreakingThe fire service is appealing to any business key holders in the Cathedral Green area, who haven't already done so, to make themselves known to emergency services on scene with keys to properties or they may have to breakdown doors.
Major incident declared in Exeterpublished at 12:39 British Summer Time 28 October 2016
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End of twitter postCelebrity chef: 'Heart goes out' to Exeter firefighterspublished at 12:37 British Summer Time 28 October 2016
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End of twitter postBBC reporter Richard Green at the scene: 'Thoughts and prayers with firefighters'published at 12:36 British Summer Time 28 October 2016
I fear the fire may have spread towards the high street - I cannot confirm that - but that's based on where they're dowsing and where the firefighters are.
They're trying to win the battle.
Thoughts and prayers are with the firefighters. Many are in the Royal Clarence Hotel trying to tackle the blaze.
The Royal Clarence Hotel is one of 13 hotelspublished at 12:30 British Summer Time 28 October 2016
Claire Jones
BBC News OnlineThe Royal Clarence Hotel in Exeter is one of 13 hotels in a collection by Christina and Andrew Brownsword CBE DL.
The website states the collection includes, external:
- Two Michelin-Starred Gidleigh Park in Devon
- Five AA red star hotel and spa, The Bath Priory
- Nine-hundred-year-old Amberley Castle in West Sussex
- Four Cotswold properties
- The Slaughters Manor House
- The Slaughters Country Inn and Buckland Manor
- The Old Swan and Minster Mill in Oxfordshire
- London pied à terre
- Sydney House, Chelsea
Exeter fire: 'I feel like crying' says BBC reporter Richard Green at the scenepublished at 12:29 British Summer Time 28 October 2016
I feel like crying seeing Exeter changed forever.
