[News] Royal Albion hotel on fire, again.

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

I really do hope they can save the building as the alternative doesn’t bear thinking about…years of indecision followed by years of public squabble over what to build ending with a landmark building of architectural merit being ditched in favour of a cheap breeze block hotel budget hotel.

This. Though even if they 'save' the building, you just know it would end up a boarded-up derelict building site for decades before they end up knocking it down anyway. It's the Brighton way

 

[Sergei's Celebration]

Not much to save, you can see and hear the internals collapsing. I can't see the stacks lasting.

 

[birthofanorange]

This. Though even if they 'save' the building, you just know it would end up a boarded-up derelict building site for decades before they end up knocking it down anyway. It's the Brighton way

Sadly, I couldn't agree more.

 

[The Clamp]

I really do hope they can save the building as the alternative doesn’t bear thinking about…years of indecision followed by years of public squabble over what to build ending with a landmark building of architectural merit being ditched in favour of a cheap breeze block hotel budget hotel.

I fear you are on the nail with this.

 

[PeterT]

Not much to save, you can see and hear the internals collapsing. I can't see the stacks lasting.

Thoroughly sad and depressing all round

 

[Gabbafella]

Even with our windows closed, the smell is horrendous. I've got a banging headache.

 

[PeterT]

Facade to be demolished tonight it seems

Hotel to be demolished amid concerns over collapse

Part of the Royal Albion hotel will be demolished amid concerns about its collapse.

www.theargus.co.uk

 

[BN41Albion]

Maybe not a budget hotel then. I just hope that if the building doesn’t survive then the opportunity to build something iconic, a landmark, in a prominent position isn’t missed.

Like the i360?

 

[birthofanorange]

Like the i360?

No, no I don't.

 

[dejavuatbtn]

So it looks like the new bit (replacement of previous fire damage) is ok and the old bit is now being demolished, requiring replacement. That’s handy.

 

[The Clamp]

Even with our windows closed, the smell is horrendous. I've got a banging headache.

Can you imagine all the manky old matresses, curtains, carpets etc all going into that smoke?

Hope the headache subsides.

Firefighter mate says fire is pretty much done now, it’s all just sifting through the debris. What a job.

 

[slimes]

I remember the old Woolworths fire. Think I was 6

 

[Goldstone Convict]

This is really sad to read about. Hope all are safe & as well as can be. Well done to all responders. I bloody hope at least the facade of the building can be saved. Brighton & Hove is a beautiful part of the world…makes these scenes all the sadder. To all impacted: I hope you’re okay. To Brighton & Hove: The best of my thoughts.

 

[Weststander]

I remember the old Woolworths fire. Think I was 6

Johnson’s department store, Western Road …. Nov 1970.

 

[thedonkeycentrehalf]

I think the Royal Albion was already a ‘budget’ hotel as it was owned by Britannia Hotels, one of the worst chains in the country. They seem to pick up old hotels and then spend as little as possible in maintaining them. I hope that is not the cause of this blaze. I see one of the local MPs described them as a slum landlord this morning.

It should be a prime site for a hotel. If they can save the facade maybe someone can rebuild it as a hotel which the city can be proud of.

 

[HeaviestTed]

Can you imagine all the manky old matresses, curtains, carpets etc all going into that smoke?

Hope the headache subsides.

Firefighter mate says fire is pretty much done now, it’s all just sifting through the debris. What a job.

I just hope everyone is safe and they don’t find anyone in the debris.

 

[Boys 9d]

More Fire Service incidents:
Bedford Hotel
What had been the Grand Theatre, North Road
Hove Town Hall (the old one)
Royal Pavilion
and not forgetting the Grand Hotel bombing
Goldstone Ground South Stand

 

[Goldstone Convict]

I agree.

 

[birthofanorange]

I agree.

Good to know.
About what, though?

 

[The Clamp]

I just hope everyone is safe and they don’t find anyone in the debris.

As far as we were informed all occupants and staff are accounted for. And they cleared the homeless out from the stairwells and back areas .

So I think, god willing, nobody came to any harm.