TWELVE fire crews have been called to tackle a 'serious' fire at a seafront hotel.
Firefighters are in action at the Claremont Hotel in Eastbourne to tackle a fire in the building's basement.
Smoke billowed out of the hotel down nearby streets.
Paul Harper, sales and marketing director for Daish's Holidays, which owns the hotel, said the incident began at 8.45am this morning.
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"The fire started in the basement and most people were in the dining hall," he said.
"Everyone was quickly evacuated and we have put everyone up in alternative accomodation.
"There were a couple of minor injuries from falling plaster but nothing major.
"We have a suspicion of what caused the fire but we are not in a position to comment on it.
"Everyone was over the road before it got worse."
East Sussex Fire and Rescue is advising people to avoid the area.
It has told residents to stay indoors and keep doors and windows closed.
A crew from West Sussex has been called in to help tackle the blaze.
Firefighters are pumping seawater from the beach to tame the fire.
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