Claremont Hotel fire: Gas supply feeding flames cut off

The charred facade of the hotel is all that remains following the fire

A fire that has gutted most of a seafront hotel after burning for days has finally been put out after the gas supply feeding the flames was cut off.

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service said extensive work by the supplier had isolated the supply to the Grade II* listed Claremont Hotel in Eastbourne.

Roads remain closed but all remaining pockets of fire have now been extinguished, it added.

A full investigation into the cause of the blaze is due to begin later.

The fire service will also consider whether the remains are structurally safe. In the meantime, it has asked people to avoid the area and obey cordons.

The blaze began at about 08:50 GMT on Friday as most of the hotel guests were eating breakfast in its lower ground floor restaurant on Grand Parade.

Paul Harper, a director of Daish's Holidays, which owns the hotel, praised the "quick action" of staff who got everyone out "within minutes".

The fire quickly spread through the hotel

All 130 guests and staff members at the Claremont, which was evacuated along with neighbouring hotels, were accounted for.

Mr Harper told the BBC the fire started in an "unmanned area of the basement" but he would not speculate on the cause.

At its height, about 60 firefighters with 12 engines tackled the flames.

Six people were treated for minor injuries, with one taken to hospital suffering from breathing difficulties.

Firefighter Simon Neill said the gas supply which was fuelling the flames was finally isolated at about 19:30 on Sunday.

"As soon as they [cut it off] the small fire in the ground floor disappeared, which is exactly what we were hoping would happen," he said.

Firefighters took nearly five hours to bring the flames under control

A crowdfunding page set up to help hotel staff has raised more than £2,000. Many lived at the Claremont and have lost most of their possessions.

Mr Harper said: "It has been an absolutely devastating time but it restores your faith in humanity the way everyone has pulled together."

He added: "We are hoping it can be the phoenix that rises from [the ashes], it is an iconic landmark building and we will do everything we can do to restore it."

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