Exeter fire: 25 city centre shops and businesses remain closed ahead of hotel demolitionpublished at 11:14 GMT 31 October 2016
At least 25 shops and businesses, external across Exeter city centre remain closed today following the devastating fire.
Summary
Fifty firefighters continue to damp down the historic Royal Clarence Hotel following a major blaze
The fire started on Friday in a nearby gallery and spread to the hotel
Demolition equipment is expected to arrive today
In other news, Firefighters tackle large barn fire in United Downs
Two dead in car and van crash on A303
Patients who've had a stroke could now get medication in the ambulance on the way to hospital
Updates on Monday 31 October 2016
Exeter fire: 25 city centre shops and businesses remain closed ahead of hotel demolitionpublished at 11:14 GMT 31 October 2016
Royal Clarence owner: 'Every intention to rebuild hotel'published at 11:05 GMT 31 October 2016
In a statement, owner Andrew Brownsword said: "Looking to the future of The Royal Clarence, we have every intention to rebuild the hotel with enormous sympathy to its importance and heritage, and to make it once again a building that the city of Exeter will be proud of.
"We have always said we believe we are merely custodians of the buildings our hotels operate within, and we pledge to do our very best to return The Royal Clarence to the city of Exeter and its people."
Truro have 'weak underbelly', says bosspublished at 11:02 GMT 31 October 2016
Brent Pilnick
BBC SportTruro City boss Lee Hodges is worried by his side's lack of mental strength after a 5-0 loss at St Albans City.
Image source, Truro City FCThe White Tigers conceded three times in the final 30 minutes after failing to take a number of first-half chances.
"At the moment we're a little bit weak and we conceded and seemed to not give up, but all go into our shells rather than stick our chests out and keep working hard," Hodges told BBC Radio Cornwall. "We've got a weak underbelly at the moment and it's not enjoyable."
Royal Clarence Hotel fire: 'Heartbreaking' to see the building now says ownerpublished at 10:51 GMT 31 October 2016
Quote MessageMy family and I have witnessed the events that unfolded since Friday with great sadness. The Royal Clarence Hotel has long been a special place for us all, and to see the building now is heartbreaking. Alongside many of Exeter’s residents and visitors, we share a huge sense of loss of such an iconic building, and remember fondly our memories of happy times there.
Andrew Brownsword, Andrew Brownsword Hotels
10 year old St Ives boy thrilled at NASA response to his plans for mission to Marspublished at 10:41 GMT 31 October 2016
A 10-year-old boy from Cornwall has been told by NASA that he could one day play a pioneering role in humankind's journey to the stars., external
Police photos of the scene as some roads reopenpublished at 10:26 GMT 31 October 2016
Image source, Devon and Cornwall PoliceDevon and Cornwall Police said: "North Street and South Street have now reopened, all other cordons remain in place.
"Structural engineers continue to work at the scene and once further and wider decisions have been made in relation to recovery at the scene, we will share this with the public."
Image source, Devon and Cornwall Police'Important buildings saved' in Exeter Royal Clarence Hotel blazepublished at 10:22 GMT 31 October 2016
This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on XThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.Skip X postThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
End of X postPirates to blame for late loss - Cattlepublished at 10:18 GMT 31 October 2016
Brent Pilnick
BBC SportCornish Pirates joint-head coach Gavin Cattle said they only had themselves to blame for the 26-24 loss at Rotherham.
Rotherham kicked a last-minute penalty to seal the win after the Pirates had been reduced to 12 men following yellow cards for Matt Evans, Tom Channon, and Brett Beukeboom late on.
Image source, Brian tempest"We got what we deserved, we can't hide away from the fact that we left three or four tries out there," Cattle told BBC Radio Cornwall.
"There'll be a lot of talk about the yellow cards at the end of the game where we were fighting for our lives."
Exeter fire: What happened and what we know so far...published at 09:57 GMT 31 October 2016
Chris Ellis
BBC News Online
- Fire crews were called to Exeter's Cathedral Green early Friday morning
- Fire started in Castle Fine Art gallery before spreading to the Well House Tavern, a cafe and the Royal Clarence Hotel
- At its peak, 150 firefighters tackled the blaze
- The remains of the hotel could be pulled down as early as tomorrow
- Bulldozers are expected on site by Tuesday - structural engineers are today examining the shell of the building
- Firefighters have been on site all weekend - 50 are still there this morning, spraying water on the shell
- The city council is meeting fire bosses, architects and business leaders later to discuss what will happen next
- No-one was injured in the blaze
Exeter fire: Some streets openedpublished at 09:49 GMT 31 October 2016
This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on XThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.Skip X postThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
End of X postThis X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on XThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.Skip X post 2The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
End of X post 2Cornwall Council urged not to spend money fighting 'Devonwall'published at 09:42 GMT 31 October 2016
Cornwall Council is being urged not to spend taxpayers' money on a legal challenge to controversial plans for a cross-Tamar "Devonwall" parliamentary constituency by the Conservative Group Leader at Cornwall Council.
A Bideford, Bude and Launceston seat would be created under current boundary reform which the government says is more democratic and saves money.
This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on XThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.Skip X postThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
End of X postRoyal Clarence Hotel fire 'very difficult to deal with'published at 09:35 GMT 31 October 2016
Jonathan Morris
BBC News OnlineThe fire which destroyed the Royal Clarence Hotel in Exeter was "intense" and the "complex nature of the building construction, especially the roof structure, made this a very difficult incident to deal with" says Chief Fire Officer Lee Howell.
He said: “I am very proud of the efforts of our firefighting, control, officer and support staff, many of whom worked extremely hard for extended periods of time without complaining during what were very challenging circumstances.
“It was an incredible effort by firefighters to stop the fire spreading to other heritage buildings on the High Street.
"Due to the period in which the buildings were constructed, the gap between the back of the hotel and the adjacent properties was very narrow and the fire was threatening to bridge the gap and spread further."
Exeter fire in numberspublished at 09:29 GMT 31 October 2016
Jonathan Morris
BBC News OnlineAt the height of the fire...
- 150 firefighters were at the scene
- Nearly 30 pumping appliances
- An "unprecedented" four aerial ladder platforms were used to prevent the fire spreading to other historic buildings
Source: Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service
Fire service 'grateful' to residents after hotel blazepublished at 09:25 GMT 31 October 2016
This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on XThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.Skip X postThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
End of X postWeather for Devon and Cornwall: Staying fine and mildpublished at 09:23 GMT 31 October 2016
Holly Green
BBC WeatherAny patches of cloud, mist or fog will lift through the morning to leave a fine afternoon with plenty of sunshine.
With winds remaining light, it will stay mild for the time of year. Maximum temperature: 18 Deg C (64 Deg F).
Smoke billows from Cornwall United Downs wood yard firepublished at 09:13 GMT 31 October 2016
Firefighters from Tolvaddon and Falmouth are dealing with a large barn fire in United Downs.
The barn is believed to contain wood and power to the building has been isolated. Devon and Cornwall Police are also at the scene.
This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on XThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.Skip X postThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
End of X postFacebook Live: Royal Clarence Hotel latestpublished at 09:03 GMT 31 October 2016
Sorry, we're having trouble displaying this content.View original content on FacebookThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Facebook content may contain adverts.Exeter fire: Public support 'amazing'published at 09:02 GMT 31 October 2016
Jonathan Morris
BBC News OnlineCouncillor Mark Healey, Chairman of the Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Authority, said: “The support of the public has been amazing.
"I visited the scene yesterday with the chief fire officer and we spoke with a number of local business owners to say thank you for their support to our crews.
“In difficult times, communities come together and the events of the last few days has seen this happen on a large scale. Despite the loss of a number of buildings, it could have been so much worse. I'm just so pleased no-one has been injured.”
Exeter City Council 'doing everything' to support businesses after Royal Clarence Hotel firepublished at 08:57 GMT 31 October 2016
This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on XThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.Skip X postThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
End of X postBusinesses and residents thanked for support during Royal Clarence Hotel firepublished at 08:50 GMT 31 October 2016
Jonathan Morris
BBC News OnlineDevon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service has thanked the residents and business owners of Exeter for their support during the major blaze.
Since the fire started in the early hours of Friday morning, roads have been closed, cordons put in place and businesses closed to protect public safety.
Despite the inconvenience, the service said it had been "overwhelmed by messages of support, offers of assistance and complimentary food and drink to help sustain the large number of firefighters who have been working around the clock to bring the fire under control".
