Staff reporter(wp/es):
The "oldest hotel in England" has begun to collapse in a huge fire in Exeter that raged throughout the night.
The Royal Clarence Hotel, which was founded in 1769 and has stood for 300 years, has been badly damaged in the blaze.
Hundreds of firefighters battled throughout the night to save the hotel and extinguish the fire which continued to burn through Exeter city centre this morning.
The fire is believed to have started in an art gallery on Friday before spreading to the nearby hotel.
There are no reported injuries.
The fire service said: "Fire crews are still at the scene working hard to get the fire under control.
"Residents are asked to consider their travel arrangements around the city centre as road closures may still be in place."
Around 120 firefighters from across Devon were at Cathedral Yard on Friday, where the blaze affected a block of buildings.
According to Professor Todd Gray of Exeter University, the hotel is the oldest in the country, survived the 1942 Blitz and was within the precincts of Roman Exeter.
Dr Gray said it was a "heart-breaking" loss for the city, adding: "We have so little left and hopefully the fire will be contained and not spread further."
The 18th-century coaching inn, which is now called the Abode Hotel, is part of the Andrew Brownsword group.
A hotel spokeswoman said on Friday: "Following the morning's fire, all our guests and staff were evacuated and all are safe and accounted for."
Devon and Cornwall Police said: "It is likely that Cathedral Green will remain cordoned off and not accessible to the public for some time."
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