Royal Albion Hotel fire caused by discarded cigarette

Firefighters remained at the scene for days after the fire at the Royal Albion Hotel in Brighton

A fire at a 200-year-old hotel in Brighton which left the building "dangerously unstable" was probably caused by a discarded cigarette, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said.

The blaze at the Regency-style Royal Albion Hotel - which overlooks Brighton Pier - broke out on 15 July.

About 100 people were forced to leave the surrounding area and find alternative accommodation.

Demolition began on the site a few days later.

The fire service said it had confirmed the cause of the fire was accidental.

A spokesman said: "A fire investigation has concluded that it was likely started by a discarded cigarette which had not been completely put out."

The history of the Royal Albion Hotel

The oldest, and least damaged part of the hotel was the original Albion Hotel, built in 1836. This part is Grade II* listed.

The western section dates from the late 1850s and was known as the Lion Mansion Hotel. This is Grade II listed.

Between the two hotels were two lodging houses built in the mid-1840s. In 1938 they became Louis Tussaud's Waxworks. When this closed in 1979, the building was restored with a similar appearance to the original and, like Lion Mansion, was absorbed into the Royal Albion.

Source: Regency Society of Brighton and Hove

At the height of the blaze 15 fire engines were at the scene.

A fire service spokesman said: "This was a complex, difficult, and large-scale fire due to the construction of the building and the very high winds."

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Mark Matthews said a large part of the building had been saved from damage, "due to the significant and sustained efforts by crews".

The building is no longer structurally safe, according to the city council

The Regency Society of Brighton and Hove have described the 219-bedroom hotel building as of "unusual significance", given its prominent location in the city.

It has previously called for a "faithful" restoration of the outside of the building.

Part of the building is Grade II*-listed by English Heritage and suffered a previous fire in November 1998.

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