Royal Albion hotel fire: Homes barricaded for demolition

Some residents in the Old Steine will be blocked from accessing their homes as the smouldering wreck of the Royal Albion hotel in Brighton is torn down.

Engineers were spotted drilling planks of wood into front doors to prevent them from being opened while the works take place.

Wood has been drilled into the front door to prevent it from opening (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

This will ensure the area is safe as debris comes crashing down from the ravaged hotel.

The Argus understands demolition work is set to begin "after lunch", according to a source close to the works.

Yesterday, engineers were looking at an asbestos reinspection survey from December last year in their preparations for tearing down the building.

But there is little fear this will affect onlookers and nearby residents.  A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said there is “unlikely to be any significant risk of exposure to asbestos following this fire".

Debris in Pool Valley (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

Demolition will take two to three weeks to complete and it is not yet clear when residents and holidaymakers will be able to return to their homes, hotels and hostels.

Leader of Brighton and Hove City Council Bella Sankey said the demolition, planned to start yesterday, was delayed on health and safety grounds.

She said a 3D scan of the whole exterior of the building has been carried out and photos will be taken regularly to allow the council to replicate the original features.

“We of course want to save as much of this iconic, heritage building as possible and have tasked our contractors to do this," said Cllr Sankey. 

“As many original features as possible will be set aside for reuse or for moulds/copying.

“We are in contact with Historic England and will continue to work closely with them.”

Barriers have also been placed around the hotel and police are investigating the cause of the blaze.