DONATIONS have poured to help the staff affected by a seafront hotel fire.

The Claremont Hotel in Eastbourne has been utterly destroyed following the blaze yesterday.

As many as 12 fire engines were at the scene to tackle the flames at their height yesterday.

Today, two crews remain and are trying to cut off the gas supply.

Efforts to do so are hampered by fears that the grade-II listed building is now structurally unsafe.

The hotel is run by Daish’s Holidays, and managing director George Brown said everyone is devastated.

Guests have all been taken home, but many will have lost valuable possessions.

Meanwhile staff will be paid in the “short term” while the business seeks to find roles for the staff at other sites.

Eastbourne resident Alison Eames set up a Just Giving fundraising page, and hundreds of pounds have already been given to help support staff.

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She said: “The grade-II listed building has been gutted as the fire raged all day. 

“One hundred and thirty guests were safely evacuated by the staff and displaced to other hotels. 

“The staff and owners have lost their livelihood and anyone living in the hotel will have lost all their possessions. 

“Let's help them with something towards replacing belongings and or to have a better Christmas. Our thoughts are with them all.”

The blaze was reported shortly before 9am on Friday, November 22, and flames spread through the building opposite Eastbourne Pier.

Daish’s Holidays boss George Brown said: “I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all who have supported and are continuing to support all those affected by the devastating fire at the Claremont Hotel. 

“We are indebted to the emergency services, the local community and our staff, who ensured that public safety was the utmost priority as the situation developed throughout yesterday.

“This situation has saddened us all and we greatly appreciate the dedication and positivity from all those involved in helping to contain the fire and manage public safety, as well as the understanding of all those affected.”

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He said the company is in touch with customers to offer advice about finding personal items, and advising future customers on alternative arrangements.

Mr Brown added: “We are currently working hard to support the Claremont Hotel staff and are in regular contact with them to update them. 

“We will be covering wages in the short term to minimise the impact to our workers, and in the longer term we will be looking at ways to redeploy staff in other roles within the group wherever possible.”

The cause of the fire is being investigated, and Mr Brown said the company is working with the emergency services to support the investigation work.

To donate to the Just Giving page visit: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/claremont-fire