A Victorian seafront hotel has been "engulfed in flames" after a fire broke out

in its basement.

Eastbourne's Grade II* listed Claremont Hotel was evacuated after the blaze
started at about 08:50 GMT. The Pier Hotel has also been evacuated.

About 60 firefighters and 12 engines were sent to the scene.

Six people have been treated for minor injuries, with one taken to hospital suffering
from breathing difficulties, the ambulance service said.

All those who were in the hotel when the fire started have been accounted for, East
Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said.

Nearby residents have been advised to keep windows and doors closed. Roads in
the area have been shut.

Flames spread from the basement of the Claremont and could be seen coming out
of windows and the roof.

'Significant damage'
"The building has been seriously damaged and will need to be examined by
building experts before a decision is made about its future," a fire service
spokesman said.

He said the fire had been brought under control and the fire service was "scaling
back the operation".

The owners of the hotel, Daish's Holidays, said the "significant damage" to the
hotel was "devastating".

The company said 130 guests and staff members had been in the building when
the fire broke out.

A spokesman said the hotel had arranged return travel home for all guests and
was contacting guests who had future bookings.

"We are devastated at the loss of the hotel and will be working tirelessly to support
everyone affected by the damage."
Simon Palmer, who works at the neighbouring Pier Hotel, said the Claremont was
"engulfed in flames" and added the fire had "taken three-quarters of the roof away
already".

He said he heard a "very loud explosion" and thought parts of the hotel were
collapsing.

Many of the guests he had spoken to were having breakfast when the blaze started
so were able to escape quickly, he said.