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

Live Reporting

  1. At the scene from Cathedral Green as fire rips through hotel

    Harriet Bradshaw
    Reporter

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  2. The damage from the Royal Clarence Hotel is visible from afar

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  3. Facebook Live: Smoke billows from city hotel after major fire spreads

    BBC Radio Devon

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  4. Video footage of The Royal Clarence Hotel on fire in Exeter

    Sian Davies
    BBC News Online

    The Royal Clarence Hotel on fire in Devon

  5. Flames come through roof of Exeter's Royal Clarence Hotel

    Chris Ellis
    BBC News Online

    Flames are starting to come through the roof of the Royal Clarence Hotel in Exeter.

    Eyewitnesses report "black smoke" coming from the famous hotel.

    The fire initially started in a nearby gallery earlier this morning before spreading.

  6. BBC reporter 'feels like crying seeing Exeter changed forever' by huge fire

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  7. Exeter blaze: Smoke spreads across the city as fire spreads to famous hotel

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  8. The Royal Clarence Hotel on fire: 'Blaze changing landscape of Exeter'

    Claire Jones
    BBC News Online

    The Royal Clarence Hotel is now on fire in Exeter.

    After firefighters tackled the blaze on a gallery and got it under control it has now been confirmed the hotel next door is on fire.

    The BBC's Richard Green on the scene said the fire is "changing the landscape of Exeter". 

    Hotel fire

  9. Exeter fire spreads to hotel

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  10. Royal Clarence Hotel roof on fire
    Breaking

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  11. Guided tours cancelled following fire in Exeter

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  12. Exeter blaze: At its peak 15 crews sent from fire service

    Chris Ellis
    BBC News Online

    At its peak 15 crews from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service were at the scene of the fire at Catherdal Green, Exeter. 

    The service said it expected to be there for most of the day and the blaze was currently "under control".

  13. Devon Highways says fire cordon is expected to be reduced

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  14. History: Exeter's Cathedral Green

    Sian Davies
    BBC News Online

    HistoryGoogle
    • Exeter Cathedral dates from 1050
    • Most of the present cathedral was constructed between 1270 and 1342
    • During the Reformation in the 16th Century many of the cathedral's wall-paintings were either wiped clean or white-washed over
    • During the late 19th Century, Sir Gilbert Scott carried out much restoration work in the cathedral
    • During World War Two the cathedral was hit by a bomb which destroyed St James Chapel
    • The Royal Clarence Hotel, next to the affected building, was built by William Mackworth Praed in 1769 as the Assembly Rooms
    • The Royal Clarence Hotel is credited as the first hotel in England 
    • The gallery building where the fire has taken hold is situated between Waterstones on the left, and the Well House Tavern and the Royal Clarence Hotel on the right

    Source: Exeter Cathedral Education Department.

  15. St David's Church is saying prayers for fire crews and residents

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  16. Royal Clarence Hotel evacuated guests and staff following city fire

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  17. Have you been affected by the fire in Exeter?

    Claire Jones
    BBC News Online

    If you've been affected by the fire in Exeter then let us know by emailing us.

    Also send us some of your pictures and they could appear in the BBC News coverage.

    Here is a picture of fire crews working on the blaze by Dan Bullock.

    FireDan Bullock

  18. Exeter city fire: Stagecoach services disrupted

    Stagecoach press release: Due to building fire on Cathedral Green we're unable to serve the High Street, Central Station or Sidwell Street outbound. Service diversions as follows:

    • Service A diverting via Western Way and Paris Street then normal route. Unable to serve High St or Sidwell St
    • Services JKT diverting via Western Way, Paris St then normal route. In bound from Whipton via Cheeke St, Western Way and Market St
    • Services E/F diverting via Western Way, Paris St then normal route. Unable to serve High St or Sidwell St
    • Service P diverting via Western Way, Paris St then normal route. Unable to serve High St or Sidwell St
    • Services D/H diverting via Sidwell St, Clock Tower, St David's Stn outbound. Via Clock Tower, York Road and Bamfylde St inbound
    • Service B diverting from Exeter bus station via Western Way, Market St the normal route outbound. Inbound operating via Western Way
    • Green P&R diverting via Western Way and Market St. Unable to serve South Street
    • Services R/S diverting via Western Way, Paris St then normal route. Unable to serve High St or Sidwell St  

  19. Exeter fire: Big clear up lies ahead

    BBC Radio Devon

    A major blaze that took hold at an art gallery near Cathedral Green in Exeter in the early hours is starting to die down - but a big clear up lies ahead.

    The emergency services are still at the scene and a cordon is still in place. 

    The high street is also completely closed. People are being asked to stay away from the area.

    Exeter

  20. Travel Somerset advises people to check their route before travelling

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