Exeter City Council is doing everything it can to salvage as much as possible from the original structure of the fire-damaged Royal Clarence Hotel.
The City Council said yesterday (Friday 4 November) that it was working closely with the hotel’s owners, Andrew Brownsword Hotels, Historic England and other partners to salvage and record any particularly significant fabric and items from the wreckage.
Following last weekend’s fire, the site has now been handed back to the owners, Andrew Brownsword Hotels. The main priority is to make the site safe.
It has been confirmed this afternoon that the 2016 Exeter Christmas Market will go ahead. Included in this year’s event will be a special chalet for the use of independent traders in the cathedral area who have been closed since the fire took place.
The Market starts on Saturday 19 November and runs until Sunday 18 December.
Exeter City Council, Exeter Cathedral and Market Place (operators of the market) have been working tirelessly with safety advisors over the past number of days to establish a safe and appropriate way forward. Given the extent of the damage caused by the...
Devon and Cornwall Police and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service have come together to issue a joint community message across our region encouraging those celebrating Guy Fawkes Night to remember that fireworks are explosives and should be respected.
Each year both services receive reports and are called out to deal with children and adults being injured by fireworks across our region. In a joint message from both Community Safety Teams they would like everyone to just stop and think for a moment before handling fireworks:
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.
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.
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...
