Fire service reveals cause of massive Claremont Hotel blaze

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service have today (September 16) released the findings of the investigation into the Claremont Hotel blaze.
Claremont hotel fire. Photo by Eddie Mitchell. SUS-191127-125659001Claremont hotel fire. Photo by Eddie Mitchell. SUS-191127-125659001
Claremont hotel fire. Photo by Eddie Mitchell. SUS-191127-125659001

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service have today (September 16) released the findings of the investigation into the Claremont Hotel blaze.

The seafront hotel was gutted when flames broke out at the Grade II listed building on November 22.

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Further chunks of the building collapsed over subsequent months, including a large portion during Storm Ciara.

Claremont hotel fire. Photo by Eddie Mitchell. SUS-191127-125659001Claremont hotel fire. Photo by Eddie Mitchell. SUS-191127-125659001
Claremont hotel fire. Photo by Eddie Mitchell. SUS-191127-125659001

Eastbourne Borough Council said it was ‘unstable and clearly hazardous’ and the decision was made to tear the rest of the building down.

This week, the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said it has ‘concluded its investigation into the cause of the fire’.

An ESFRS spokesperson said, “Since the incident on 22 November 2019, our fire investigation team have worked to determine the cause, gathering and examining a range of evidence and witness statements.

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“We have concluded that a small gas leak from the internal gas main ignited.

“The vertical internal gas main was boxed-in with other utilities against the side of a lift shaft which provided for rapid vertical fire spread to the upper floors of the building.

“Unfortunately, the damage caused by the fire and the subsequent damage by storms means that the Grade 2 listed building had to be demolished.”

At the height of the incident, 12 fire engines were at the scene, supported by specialist vehicles and officers.

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West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, Sussex Police, Eastbourne Borough Council, SECAmb, Highways, utility companies and local building control assisted.

The owners of the Claremont said the loss of the hotel was ‘a tragedy’.

ESFRS released the results of the investigation in Gas Safety Week (September 14-20).