Ibis Hotel evacuated due to fire on fifth floor in London Road, near Gatwick

Fire crews remain at the scene this evening, having received reports of a fire at the Ibis Hotel in London Road in Crawley near Gatwick Airport shortly before 3pm.

Pictures show clouds of smoke billowing from the building this afternoon.

Photos: Eddie Mitchell

London Road has been closed in both directions as emergency teams work to tackle the blaze and people are still advised to avoid the area.

A multi agency effort here to tackle the blaze. The road is still closed in both directions. #Crawley #Fire EA017 pic.twitter.com/VBd36p0wrG

— Crawley Police (@Crawley_Police) March 12, 2021

A spokesman for West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said: “We remain at the scene of this incident in London Road, and are in the process of bringing in relief crews.

"We expect to be in attendance for some time yet, and would continue to urge people to avoid the area.

Photos: Eddie Mitchell

“Joint Fire Control was alerted to reports of a fire on the fifth floor of the building at 2.56pm this afternoon and mobilised crews from Billingshurst, two from Crawley, two from East Grinstead and Horsham to the scene along with Surrey Fire & Rescue Service appliances from Banstead, Dorking, Reigate and Salfords.

⚠️ We are dealing with a fire involving a premises on London Road near Gatwick.
The building has been safely evacuated.
Crews from @CrawleyFire999 @horsham and @SurreyFRS appliances from Reigate, Dorking and Salfords are in attendance.
Please avoid the area.
⚠️

— West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service (@WestSussexFire) March 12, 2021

"The Aerial Ladder Platform from Horsham was also been sent to the scene along with the service’s Technical Rescue Unit and the drone and the Incident Command Unit from Haywards Heath.

“The building has been safely evacuated."