Yahoo Finance 
Firefighters battle to save England's oldest hotel from blazing fire
Firefighters are desperately fighting to save England’s oldest hotel from being destroyed by a fire ripping through the building.
The blaze is believed to have started at a next-door art gallery, and has since reached the roof of the 300-year-old Royal Clarence Hotel in Exeter.
Around 110 firefighters, police and paramedics are on the scene to deal with the flames, which reportedly broke out around 5am on Friday.
Smoke pours from the hotel roof (SWNS)
Smoke could be seen pouring from the roof as the teams attempted to prevent the building from being gutted entirely.
Road closures remain in place around the area.
A Devon and Somerset police spokesman said: ‘It is not known at this time where or how the fire started or how many properties have been affected. No injuries are reported.’
Teams work to limit the damage
A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman warned that the area could remain off limits for some time, saying: ‘It is hoped to open High Street to pedestrians and public transport as soon as possible, but this is dependent on the fire service safely completing its activities at the scene of the fire on Cathedral Green.
‘It is likely that Cathedral Green will remain cordoned off and not accessible to the public for some time.’
The Royal Clarence Hotel first opened its doors in 1769 and has stood on the same spot for 300 years, making it the oldest hotel in England.
A hotel spokeswoman said: “Following the morning’s fire, all our guests and staff were evacuated and all are safe and accounted for.”
