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15/08/2008
Fire Crews Tackle Hotel Blaze
A probe is underway after a major fire broke out at a Darlington hotel.
Around 50 firefighters tackled the inferno at the King's Head in Priestgate when it broke out at 12.30am this morning.
It is understood the fire began on the fourth floor and has now caused so much damage that the building is in danger of collapsing.
Fire teams from Darlington, County Durham and North Yorkshire fought the blaze.
Part of a bridge was even dismantled, allowing fire teams to pumps thousands of gallons from the River Skerne which runs through the town centre.
Hotel guests have been moved to other hotels and to the local Dolphin Leisure Centre.
The Blackwell Grange has also agreed to take as many evacuees as it can.
Chief Inspector Unsworth, of Durham Police said that hotel staff did a "marvellous job during the night".
"There were no casualties and they managed to account for everyone in the hotel.
"The fire service is still very busy, it was a good co-ordinated response."
It is reported that the brigade has managed to stop the blaze spreading to the Cormill Shopping Centre.
Eyewitness Kelly Reynolds, of Darlington said: "The flames could be seen from miles away – it looked like the whole town centre was on fire. The smoke and flames seemed to fill the sky."
The King's Head boasted a ballroom, six conference rooms, the Northgate Restaurant, a Cocktail Bar and a lounge on the ground floor.
Just last month, it changed its name from the King's Head Hotel to the King's Hotel.
It is not the first time a fire has struck the hotel.
In 1990, 11 people were taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation when a fire started.
(DS)
Around 50 firefighters tackled the inferno at the King's Head in Priestgate when it broke out at 12.30am this morning.
It is understood the fire began on the fourth floor and has now caused so much damage that the building is in danger of collapsing.
Fire teams from Darlington, County Durham and North Yorkshire fought the blaze.
Part of a bridge was even dismantled, allowing fire teams to pumps thousands of gallons from the River Skerne which runs through the town centre.
Hotel guests have been moved to other hotels and to the local Dolphin Leisure Centre.
The Blackwell Grange has also agreed to take as many evacuees as it can.
Chief Inspector Unsworth, of Durham Police said that hotel staff did a "marvellous job during the night".
"There were no casualties and they managed to account for everyone in the hotel.
"The fire service is still very busy, it was a good co-ordinated response."
It is reported that the brigade has managed to stop the blaze spreading to the Cormill Shopping Centre.
Eyewitness Kelly Reynolds, of Darlington said: "The flames could be seen from miles away – it looked like the whole town centre was on fire. The smoke and flames seemed to fill the sky."
The King's Head boasted a ballroom, six conference rooms, the Northgate Restaurant, a Cocktail Bar and a lounge on the ground floor.
Just last month, it changed its name from the King's Head Hotel to the King's Hotel.
It is not the first time a fire has struck the hotel.
In 1990, 11 people were taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation when a fire started.
(DS)
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