A fire has ripped through a 400-year-old hotel which was housing Ukrainian refugees.

The fire at the Angel Inn in Midhurst is thought to have begun in a neighbouring building in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Residents who witnessed the fire tearing through the roof of the hotel said that it had been used to house a number of Ukrainian refugees.

Hilton Holloway, who witnessed the fire, said around 30 people, including some children, were evacuated from the hotel.

“There were a number of Ukrainian refugees in the hotel, which had around 15 rooms,” he said.

“I spoke to one young woman who seemed relatively calm.”

Around 30 people were evacuated from the building with North Street in Midhurst currently closed.

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Services called the fire “significant”. Ten fire engines, an aerial ladder platform, water carrier and off-road vehicle responded to the incident.

The Argus: The fire in the Angel Inn in MidhurstThe fire in the Angel Inn in Midhurst (Image: Hilton Holloway)

Shortly after 6am the fire service said the incident had “escalated” and 14 fire engines were on the scene tackling the blaze.

“Over 30 people have been evacuated from the building and firefighters are working hard to bring the fire under control,” West Sussex Fire and Rescue Services said.

Speaking from the scene, area manager Richard Abbot advised commuters North Street would remain closed and asked the public to avoid the area.

“It is too early in the incident to know the cause of the fire, however we will be investigating as soon as it is safe to do so,” he said.

Sussex Police, which sent officers to the scene, warned road closures would be in place in the local area.

No casualties have been reported.