Firefighters tackled a blaze next to the Royal Albion just days before the one-year anniversary of the catastrophic fire at the hotel.

Eight fire engines responded to the incident last night and nearby homes and businesses were evacuated.

Fire engines parked outside the hostelFire engines parked outside the hostel (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)

Fire broke out in the basement of a hostel next door to the Royal Albion on Brighton seafront just before 9pm.

A section of pavement in Grand Junction Road was cordoned off while firefighters entered the building to tackle the flames.

Fire engines arrived on blue lights, stopping outside the building on the A259 and in Pool Valley in scenes similar to the Royal Albion inferno on July 15 last year.

A spokesman for the service said: "At 8.54pm we were called to reports of smoke at a residential building on Grand Junction Road.

"Seven appliances plus an aerial ladder platform attended. Crews quickly extinguished a fire in the basement area. All persons were accounted for and there were no casualties."

Fire crews from across the region, along with those from Kent, Surrey and, for the first time since the Second World War,  from London, responded to the blaze at the Grade II listed Royal Albion as black smoke billowed for miles.

The fire lasted several daysThe fire lasted several days (Image: Alistair MacRobert)

Firefighters worked 13-hour shifts as dramatic flames engulfed each floor of the hotel travelling through hidden voids in the building which meant smoke passed between areas quickly.

High winds created perfect conditions for the fire to spread.

You can read the full report from East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service here.

The damage from the fire - caused by a discarded cigarette - was so severe the entire west wing of the hotel had to be knocked down. The demolition is still under way.