Midhurst fire: Historic hotel ‘housing refugees’ engulfed by blaze

A 400- year-old hotel that was real estate Ukrainian refugees has actually been swallowed up by a significant blaze.

The fire began in a home in North Street, Midhurst, in the early hours, prior to infecting the roofing system of the Angel Inn hotel next door.

More than 30 individuals, consisting of “a number” of Ukrainian refugees, have actually been left, firemens stated.

The neighborhood was applauded for its “kindness and eagerness to assist” after an appeal for contributions was swamped.

Local resident David Behan, who saw the fire, stated the refugees invested the night in a neighboring Indian dining establishment prior to they were transferred to a leisure centre, from where they have actually been re-homed.

Mr Behan stated: “They reached Christmas with really little. And what little they had, they’ve simply totally lost, which is desperate.”

Midhurst Town Council organized a contribution point close by for those who have actually been impacted by the fire.

The website ended up being swamped with contributions and closed just hours after it opened.

A council spokesperson stated: “We have actually been overwhelmed by individuals’s kindness and eagerness to assist, and now have whatever we require to supply assistance for those who have actually lost their houses and personal belongings.”

Ben Moore, BBC News, Midhurst

The refugees had actually been quite invited into the neighborhood here. Some had tasks, and you ‘d typically hear individuals speaking Ukrainian on the streets.

The Angel Inn has actually been here for about 400 years, and has actually been owned by the very same household for a minimum of 2 generations.

The firemens have actually informed a few of the citizens that the structure can not be conserved. It is going to need to be destroyed.

It would be a terrible thing to need to lose for Midhurst.

Another regional citizen, Hilton Holloway, stated some kids were amongst those left from the hotel, which he stated had about 15 spaces.

” I spoke with one girl who appeared reasonably calm,” he included.

The reason for the fire is not yet understood. 4 individuals were dealt with at the scene however did not need healthcare facility treatment.

Road closures remain in location, and firemens, authorities and paramedics stay at the scene.

The fire brigade stated teams were contacted us to North Street at 01: 08 GMT, and 15 fire truck and 2 aerial ladder platforms were released.

Firefighters were consulted with a “substantial fire in the roofing area” at the hotel, which infected neighbouring homes, a spokesperson stated.

” More than 30 individuals, consisting of a variety of Ukrainian refugees, were securely left from the structures, and they are now being took care of in a regional relief centre,” he included.

Speaking at the scene, the brigade’s location supervisor, Richard Abbot, stated: “We are recommending locals to keep their doors and windows closed as there is big quantities of smoke in the location.

” It’s prematurely in the occurrence to understand the reason for the fire, nevertheless we will be examining the fire as quickly as it is safe to do so.”