fire

An opera performance threatened with cancellation because of the fire in the centre of Exeter will now go ahead thanks to staff at the Guildhall.

Staircase Opera’s performance of Menotti’s ‘The Medium’ was due to take place at the Devon and Exeter Institute tonight, Thursday and Friday. However the Institute, which is located on the Cathedral Green, is currently within the safety cordon brought about as a result of the fire at the Royal Clarence Hotel at the weekend.

Staff at the City Council heard about the group’s plight and stepped in to save the day, offering up the 700...

Exeter Cathedral has re-opened to the public today following the major fire in Cathedral Yard.

Members of the public seeking a quiet space for prayer and reflection are warmly welcome. The Lady Chapel at the east end of the building will be kept as a quiet space for people to sit, pray or just light a candle.

The Dean of Exeter, the Very Revd Dr Jonathan Draper, said: “Our job is to support all the other work that is going on by asking God’s blessing on it; giving thanks to God for the skills and dedication of our emergency services; praying for those who have lost a...

Exeter City Council is hosting an event on Saturday following the most destructive fire in the recent history of Exeter.

'The Royal Clarence Fire: The Historical Loss and Survival' is an opportunity to learn what has been lost of historical significance but also to discuss what has been miraculously saved.

Dr Todd Gray will outline the destruction of the Royal Clarence itself.

Three leading building specialists of Exeter (John Allan, Richard Parker abd John Thorp) will then outline the significance of the surrounding buildings.

These form an island of...

Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service have thanked residents and business owners of Exeter for their support during the major incident in the city centre.

Since the fire on Cathedral Yard started in the early hours of Friday morning, roads have been closed, cordons put in place and businesses closed to protect public safety.

Despite the inconvenience, the Service has been overwhelmed by messages of support, offers of assistance and complimentary food and drink to help sustain the large number of firefighters who have been working around the clock to bring the fire...

Emergency crews remained at the scene of the blaze in buildings on Cathedral Green today.

The historic Royal Clarence Hotel has been destroyed by the fire that started in an adjacent art gallery in the early hours of Friday morning.

Specialist demolition engineers are currently assessing the damage.

Devon and Cornwall Police has asked the public to appreciate the scale and severity of the fire which has affected buildings on Exeter’s Cathedral Green and to carefully consider their travel plans by car or public transport to Exeter’s city centre.

There will...

Almost every fire station in Devon and Somerset have been involved in tackling the fire at the Royal Clarence Hotel in Exeter.

Crews have endured grueling and lengthy shifts as they attempt to bring the blaze under control.

Joe Hassel, Group Manager for Devon and Somerset Fire and rescue Service, explained how fire service personnel have been dealing with the extensive fire in the hotel, and their pledge to work tirelessly to return the area to normal as soon as possible.

Exeter City Council was represented by Chief Executive Karime Hassan and Leader of the Council...

Celebrity chef Michael Caines MBE, who used to co-own the Royal Clarence Hotel today said he was gutted to see the pictures of the historic building ablaze.

He told the Daily his “heart went out” to the staff and residents as the dramatic events unfolded.

Mr Caines also said he was “angry” that the situation had apparently been allowed to escalate.

“As I understand it the fire was believed to be under control and there was even talk of people being allowed back into the hotel to collect their belongings.

“However, just minutes later the roof was ablaze and...

The Exeter Daily was granted access inside the cordon that surrounded Cathedral Green as the Royal Clarence fire raged.

And as our dramatic pictures show, the scene resembled something from a film set.

Dozens of emergency workers and vehicles were positioned inside the exclusion zone.

And the activity was frenetic as crews battled to bring the blaze under control.

Firefighters, police and paramedics were all positioned inside the cordon, many of whom had been on duty throughout the day and into the evening.

Reflecting the seriousness of the incident...

Part of the fascia of Exeter’s historic Royal Clarence Hotel has collapsed.

Around 100 firefighters remain at the scene battling a blaze that spread from a nearby property yesterday morning.

A gas main has also ruptured adding extra pressure on emergency crews.

Workers from Wales and West Utilities have been drafted in to help deal with the situation.

The High Street is closed to traffic and pedestrians and is likely to be for some time.

Devon and Cornwall Police has asked the public to appreciate the scale and severity of the fire which has affected...

These dramatic images show the moment that fire took hold at the art gallery on Cathedral Green, sparking a major incident.

The whole building became a raging inferno.

They were taken on a mobile phone by a guest who was evacuated from the Royal Clarence Hotel.

She told how she and her husband fled the buiding in just their dresssing gowns.