Big fire engulfs 400-year-old hotel housing Ukrainian refugees

A 400-year-old hotel believed to be hosting Ukrainian refugees was among buildings engulfed in a fire in Midhurst, West Sussex.

The fire was believed to have started at a property on North Street just after 1am on Thursday before spreading to the roof of the Angel Inn next door.

Hilton Holloway resident who witnessed the fire told the PA news agency about 30 people, including some children, were evacuated from the hotel.

“In the hotel, which had about 15 rooms, there were some Ukrainian refugees,” he said.

“I spoke to a young woman who seemed relatively calm.”

Photos and video provided by Mr Holloway, who lives across the street from the hotel, showed the fire spreading from an adjacent building to the roof of the Angel Inn.

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Services called the fire “significant”. Ten fire engines, a turntable ladder, a water carrier and an all-terrain vehicle were in action.

Just after 6 a.m., firefighters said the incident had “escalated” and 14 fire engines were on scene to fight the blaze.

“Over 30 people have been evacuated from the building and firefighters are working hard to get the fire under control,” West Sussex Fire and Rescue Services said.

On site, area manager Richard Abbot told commuters that North Street would remain closed and asked the public to avoid the area.

“It is too early in the incident to know the cause of the fire, but we will investigate as soon as it is certain,” he said.

Sussex Police, who dispatched officers to the scene, warned of road closures in the area.

No casualties were reported.