Update: Alexander Hotel closed after kitchen fire spread to two floors

West Sussex Fire and Rescue was called to Alexander House Hotel & Utopia Spa, East Street, Turners Hill, at 3.53am yesterday (August 5).

A spokesman said 30 firefighters wearing breathing apparatus tackled the fire which damaged 70 per cent of the kitchen and spread to the ground floor.

Two crews, from Turners Hill and East Grinstead, were called to the five star hotel where smoke was billowing from the kitchen.

A fire service spokesman said guests and staff were made safe and another East Grinstead crew, two Crawley crews and Haywards Heath control unit were called.

Firefighters used 30 sets of breathing apparatus, six hose reels and a hydrant to put out the blaze.

The kitchen was 70 per cent damaged by fire and 30 per cent by smoke. The ground floor was five per cent by fire and 40 per cent by smoke.

Crews, which were in attendance until 12.05pm, used four thermal imaging cameras, a triple extension ladder and a ‘snake eye’ camera.

The cause of the fire was being investigated.

An employee at the hotel confirmed it had closed but is hoped to open tomorrow (August 7).

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.