More than 50 firefighters have been tackling a fire at a Travelodge hotel in Chichester through the early hours of this morning (Monday).
West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service was called to Chapel Street at 1.14am after a fire was reported at the rear of the Belle Isle restaurant. All the hotel's guests were safely evacuated and relocated to the Travelodge in Fontwell, near Arundel.
The first fire crew arrived within four minutes of the 999 call and found the blaze had spread externally up the three storey building.
Additional crews were immediately requested and despatched to the scene.
At its height ten fire engines and the aerial ladder platform from Worthing were all involved in the firefighting operation. Assistance was also given by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service with engines sent from Emsworth and Havant.
Teams of breathing apparatus wearers tackled the fire from both inside and outside of the building to prevent any further fire spread.
Gatwick team on scene this morn at fire call #Chichester @SCAS_HART @SECAmbulance #UKHART @WestSussexFire pic.twitter.com/yHUV8NKJWd
— SECAmb HART (@SECAmbHart) April 13, 2015
The blaze was extinguished at around 4.00am but one crew still remains at the scene carrying out a watching brief.
One firefighter sustained an injury from a falling roof tile. He was taken to hospital and x-rayed but his injuries are thought to be minor.
Fire Investigation Officers are currently at the scene working alongside the police to establish the cause of the fire.
Early indications are that it may have started in a rear storage/utility area of the restaurant. Chapel Street, which was closed during the firefighting operation, has now reopened.
Group Manager Gary Locker, who was at the scene, said afterwards: "The attending firefighters did an excellent job. This was a protracted incident and crews had to fight the fire from a number of sectors to successfully surround and extinguish it, including a service ventilation shaft with difficult access.
"I would also like to thank the team at the Dolphin & Anchor in Chichester who helped to look after the evacuated hotel guests until they could be taken on to their replacement hotel."
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