Exeter fire: Royal Clarence Hotel – the oldest in England – collapses

Ruptured gas mains have been switched off as the blaze continues to rage

England’s “oldest hotel” has started to collapse as a fire raged on into its second day.

Firefighters worked to control the blaze at Exeter's Royal Clarence Hotel which started at 5am on Friday after a gas main ruptured.

The building’s facade, which dates back to 1769, is now crumbling away, with structural engineers expecting further collapse.

Police believed the blaze was close to being extinguished and the structure of the building was expected to be assessed with the use of drones, according to the BBC.

The fire broke out in buildings on Cathedral Green and quickly spread to the hotel, causing its guests and surrounding properties to be evacuated.

Louisa Peckover, area manager for neighbouring restaurant Côte Brasserie, said she was in the dark as to when businesses would reopen.

“The fire started on Friday morning and we couldn't even get access into the building as they needed to make it safe, so until further notice, we’re in the dark about what’s happening,” she told The Independent.

“It’s obviously absolutely heartbreaking for all involved.”

The gas supply was cut to the area after the fire broke out and water to fight the fire was originally siphoned from the mains until it ran dry.

Firefighters have since been using water from the River Exe hundreds of metres away to help extinguish the blaze.

“The hotel is always something that a lot of our customers ask us about, it’s an absolutely beautiful hotel, such a massive loss to the community,” Charlotte, a team leader at the nearby George’s Meeting House pub, told The Independent.

“The community has really joined together and we’re supporting the firefighters as best we can.

“We've got coffee going for anyone who needs it and we’ve told people to pop in if they need anything from us.”

Andrew Brownsword, the hotel's owner, praised staff for working tirelessly to help guests get to safety.

“The Royal Clarence Hotel has long been a special place for my family and I and it is with great sadness that we witnessed yesterday’s events as they unfolded,” he wrote in a statement on the hotel's website.

“We would like to thank all of our team who have worked tirelessly to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our guests along with the outstanding efforts of the emergency services. Our thoughts are with all those affected in Exeter.”

The Royal Clarence Hotel became the first establishment in England to use “hotel” in its name in 1827, according to Exeter historian Dr Todd Gray.