Fire engulfs 400-year-old hotel housing Ukrainian refugees

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.

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

No casualties were reported.