A fire in the old town of Exeter started early yesterday morning (Friday 28 October 2016) and spread to the Royal Clarence Hotel. The old buildings in the heart of Medieval and Roman Exeter are obviously susceptible to fire and the 120 firefighters had to fight the flames from outside as the interiors are too complex to enter in such circumstances.
Royal Clarence Hotel overlooking Cathedral Green, Exeter, August 2015
The hotel was built in 1769 as the Assembly Rooms and was probably the first residence in Britain to be known as a hotel (they were inns before that). It took on the name of Royal Clarence in 1827 after a visit by Adelaide, Duchess of Clarence, the queen consort of King William IV.
Royal Clarence Hotel, Exeter, August 2015
The Royal Clarence had been host to a wide range of famous guests, including Beatrix Potter in 1892 and Thomas Hardy in 1915.
I was lucky enough to stay there last summer – sadly, any return visit will be to a very different building. Whilst there was initially some hope that the exterior might survive, it has now started to collapse (Saturday 29 Oct). The only good news is that no injuroes have been reported and that the fire has not devaststed the entire area. Latest news and photos can be seen here.
Copyright Debbie Smyth, 28 October 2016 (updated 29.10.2016)
Travel with Intent 
I like the first shot a lot.
LikeLiked by 1 person
OMG, that’as shocking news!
LikeLiked by 1 person
very sad
On Sat, Oct 29, 2016 at 3:01 PM, Travel with Intent wrote:
>
LikeLiked by 1 person
Shame, isn’t it? I texted Gilly when I saw it on the news, because it’s her home town.
LikeLike
Yes, I think the town is very down – quite a loss. I thought they had hung onto their history very well
On Sat, Oct 29, 2016 at 2:55 PM, Travel with Intent wrote:
>
LikeLiked by 1 person
How terrible! I’m thankful that no lives were lost, but memories and history are precious as well.
janet
LikeLiked by 1 person
Can’t really “like” that, it’s terrible that so much beauty and history has gone.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s always sad to lose these old, iconic buildings.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very sad! All fires in town are tragic, in old town so much history gets destroyed.
LikeLike
Yes, wiped out in 24 hours, in this case. But good that it seems to have been controlled and won’t spread further.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A another tragedy….
LikeLiked by 1 person