Guests evacuated from Hove hotel as emergency services called to tackle fire

A spokesperson for East Sussex Fire and Rescue said: “East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service received repeat calls at 3.11pm on December 23 to reports of smoke on the fourth floor of the Imperial Hotel, First Avenue, Hove.

“Crews are in attendance and as of 3.45pm have confirmed there is a fire in a room on the fourth floor.

“They are using one main jet and two breathing apparatus as well as the aerial ladder platform.

“No casualties have been reported and people are being evacuated from the hotel.

“Police and ambulance have also been alerted.

“Because the building is a high rise, Joint Fire Control have sent multiple fire engines to the scene.

“Please avoid the area while we work.”

In an update at 5pm the spokesperson for the fire service confirmed that one person had been injured at the scene of the fire.

The spokesperson said: "As of 5pm, crews remain at the scene, cutting away and damping down.

“One person has received treatment for injuries at the scene.”