‘England’s oldest hotel collapses’ as fire continues to rage in Exeter

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."

Man fighting for life after attack in east London cul-de-sac

Crime reporter(wp/es):

A man is fighting for his life after he was stabbed in the torso in an east London cul-de-sac last night.

Police and ambulances rushed to a residential street in Barking at just before 10pm on Friday night following reports of the knife attack.

The victim - a man in his 50s - had been stabbed and left in Pelham Avenue.

Paramedics took him to a nearby hospital where he today remains in a critical condition.

Police said they are keeping an “open mind” as to the motive of the attack, but believe the victim was stabbed by a “lone male”.

Detectives believe the solo attacker made off from the scene on foot and headed north along Sterry Road.

They said they do not yet have a further description of the man.

No one has yet been arrested and enquiries continue, the Met said.

Child and two men rushed to hospital after police motorbike smash

Staff reporter(wp/es):

A man and child were rushed to hospital after they were hit by a police motorcyclist in Earls Court this morning.

The crash happened on Old Brompton Road shortly after 10am.

Police say their injuries are not life threatening.

The police motorcyclist, who was also taken to hospital, was one of two Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection officers on a routine patrol.

  Emergency services, including the London Air Ambulance, arrived at the scene at around 10.15am.

Paramedics treated the patients before taking them to hospital as a priority.

The fire brigade cleared a fuel spillage from the accident.

The Old Brompton Road is closed with delays in both directions between Finborough Road junction and Eardley Crescent.