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Fire at Grand Hotel in Brighton Fire at Grand Hotel in Brighton
(20 minutes later)
Hundreds of guests have been evacuated from the Grand Hotel in Brighton following a fire in a sixth-floor room.Hundreds of guests have been evacuated from the Grand Hotel in Brighton following a fire in a sixth-floor room.
Firefighters were called to the scene at around 2000GMT after reports of smoke billowing out of the building.Firefighters were called to the scene at around 2000GMT after reports of smoke billowing out of the building.
BBC reporter Juliette Parkin said firefighters were now searching the building to make sure the blaze had been completely extinguished.BBC reporter Juliette Parkin said firefighters were now searching the building to make sure the blaze had been completely extinguished.
In 1984, the Grand Hotel was the target of an assassination attempt on the then-prime minister, Margaret Thatcher.In 1984, the Grand Hotel was the target of an assassination attempt on the then-prime minister, Margaret Thatcher.
It is unclear how Saturday's blaze started.It is unclear how Saturday's blaze started.
Guests were evacuated to the nearby Hilton Brighton Metropole hotel.Guests were evacuated to the nearby Hilton Brighton Metropole hotel.
UnscathedUnscathed
East Sussex Fire Service sent 10 fire engines and an aerial platform vehicle to the scene, our reporter said.East Sussex Fire Service sent 10 fire engines and an aerial platform vehicle to the scene, our reporter said.
Duty manager of the Metropole, Janet Ridge, said: "The whole hotel has been evacuated and all the guests have been moved here. We are serving them tea, coffee and sandwiches. We are helping wherever we can."Duty manager of the Metropole, Janet Ridge, said: "The whole hotel has been evacuated and all the guests have been moved here. We are serving them tea, coffee and sandwiches. We are helping wherever we can."
For a time, Kings Road, which runs along the sea front, was closed to traffic in both directions.For a time, Kings Road, which runs along the sea front, was closed to traffic in both directions.
Five people were killed in an IRA bomb attack on the Grand Hotel during the 1984 Conservative Party Conference.Five people were killed in an IRA bomb attack on the Grand Hotel during the 1984 Conservative Party Conference.
The prime minister escaped unscathed but Conservative MP, Sir Anthony Berry, was killed. The wife of the trade and industry secretary, Norman Tebbit, was paralysed.The prime minister escaped unscathed but Conservative MP, Sir Anthony Berry, was killed. The wife of the trade and industry secretary, Norman Tebbit, was paralysed.


Have you been affected by the fire at the Grand Hotel in Brighton? Were you in the area at the time? Send us your comments on the form below:Have you been affected by the fire at the Grand Hotel in Brighton? Were you in the area at the time? Send us your comments on the form below:
There was a large cloud of smoke in the sky in the grand hotel area. we were very worried as we own a flat in nearby regency square. it became clear that this was a massive fire.will tracey, brunswick terrace, hove
We're working a rather long and uneventful late shift at a building in town and we noticed the smoke from our balcony - first thought it was the car park or shopping centre. We commend the bbc website for ending our speculation so quickly!Emma, Ricoh, Shaun, Sian, Oscar and Luke, Inkfish
My friend is staying this weekend and her husband is in Brighton staying next to the Grand. He's OK but obviously concenned about the poor people at the Grand. Out thoughts are with them.Ian, London
its a tragedy that such an amazin landmark might be destroyed by fire...Send in fireman sam, he's the hero next door. jamie brown, brighton
Doesn't look much of a major incident - Kings Road is open in both directions, and the police are standing around chatting.Ian, Brighton
I arrived outside the hotel as the first fire engine arrived. Smoke was bellowing from the top floor. There were about 200 people outside on the seafront where the police closed the road. I thought the fire was on the top floor so if it started in the basement it must have severe internal damage! I counted at lease 8 fire appliances on scene and several police vehicles.Leigh Brand, Brighton
Was just on the seafront and saw a couple who had been evacuated - they said it was in the basement but has been put out now.Anna, Brighton, Uk
I arrived outside the hotel as the first fire engine arrived. Smoke was bellowing from the top floor. There were about 200 people outside on the seafront where the police closed the road. I thought the fire was on the top floor so if it started in the basement it must have severe internal damage! I counted at lease 8 fire appliances on scene and several police vehicles.Leigh Brand, Brighton
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