The owner of the Royal Clarence Hotel in Exeter has said he is ‘heartbroken’ after the iconic building was destroyed by fire.
Andrew Brownsford said: "My family and I have witnessed the events that unfolded since Friday with great sadness.
"The Royal Clarence Hotel has long been a special place for us all, and to see the building now is heart-breaking.
"Alongside many of Exeter’s residents and visitors, we share a huge sense of loss of such an iconic building, and remember fondly our memories of happy times there."
The Royal Clarence is Britain’s oldest hotel and has hosted many famous and important guests, including Clark Gable, Beatrix Potter, Thomas Hardy and Lord Nelson.
Over the weekend, more than 100 firefighters tackled the blaze, which began on Friday.
The Royal Clarence is part of Andrew Brownsford Hotels, a collection of 13 privately owned properties. The company is owned by Christina and Andrew Brownsword.
Brownsford added: "Hotel general manager John Badley and his team not only fulfilled the most important function they could have done by ensuring all guests and staff were evacuated safely, but have since continued to offer help and support to all guests in a positive and extraordinarily professional manner. I am extremely proud of all the team.
"I would also like to thank the city of Exeter and the many, many people who have helped us since the events of Friday.
"We are so grateful for the incredible efforts of the emergency services, especially the fire service who attended in huge numbers to assist in the effort to save The Royal Clarence and surrounding buildings."
He vowed: "We have every intention to rebuild the hotel with enormous sympathy to its importance and heritage, and to make it once again a building that the City of Exeter will be proud of."
