[ACNS, by Gavin Drake] The Bishop of Exeter has praised the “heroic” efforts of firefighters who have spent the past few days fighting a major fire in a historic building on Exeter’s Cathedral Green in the south-west of England. The cathedral was forced to move Sunday’s services to the Chapter House as emergency services continued to fight the fire that has reduced the Royal Clarence Hotel – reputed to be England’s oldest hotel – to rubble. The cathedral remains closed today (Monday) as firefighters continue to damp down hotspots in the remains of the buildings.

The fire began at 5 am BST (4 am GMT) on Friday morning in an art gallery opposite the cathedral. It soon spread to a nearby pub, café and the hotel. Hotel residents had already been safely evacuated before the blaze reached the building, which dates from 1769.

Famous visitors over the years include Admiral Nelson, Franz Liszt, Beatrix Potter, Thomas Hardy, Clark Gable and Gary Cooper. It was also a temporary resting place for the body of Queen Victoria’s father, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn, on its journey from nearby Sidmouth, where he died, to Windsor where his funeral was held.

At its height, more than 100 firefighters tackled the blaze and managed to stop the fire spreading to other historic buildings in Cathedral Green – including the cathedral itself and others dating back to the 1400s. But despite the mammoth fire-fighting operation, the insides of the historic hotel have been gutted; and the historic façade has begun to crumble.

Firefighters tackle a blaze that destroyed several historic buildings, including the Royal Clarence Hotel, opposite Exeter Cathedral in Devon, south-west England.
Photo: Devon and Somerset Fire Service

“All the historic stuff inside has gone,” the Bishop of Exeter, Robert Atwell, told BBC News. “You can't replace it, but I hope and pray that they rebuild the frontage as it was, because it deserves to be there, because that's what will preserve at least the veneer of the architectural continuity on the Cathedral Green.”

On Sunday morning, the cathedral announced that they had been thwarted by their plans to re-open the cathedral for that day’s services. “Access to Cathedral Green has been severely restricted,” they said. “Dean Jonathan, members of the Chapter and everyone at Exeter Cathedral continue to hold all those affected in our thoughts and prayers.

“Up until now we have always hoped that we would be able to make the Cathedral available for the people of Exeter to enter for quiet prayer and reflection. As the incident has continued to develop, and following conversations with the emergency services on the ground, it has become clear that, for the time being at least, this will no longer be possible.”

They said that the cathedral would be closed all day with services transferred to the Chapter House, and advised that “due to the limited capacity of the Chapter House it will not be possible to welcome all who wish to pray with us at this difficult time.” This morning (Monday) they said the cathedral would again be closed for the day. Cathedral authorities are continuing to liaise with the emergency services.

Firefighters tackle a blaze that destroyed several historic buildings, including the Royal Clarence Hotel, opposite Exeter Cathedral in Devon, south-west England.
Photo: Devon and Somerset Fire Service

The Cathedral has published two prayers for the City of Exeter:

Merciful and loving God
We bring before you those who have been working tirelessly to bring the fire on our beloved Cathedral Green under control.
Grant them all the skills they need at this time.
We ask that you give strength and resilience to our Firefighters, Police and those supporting them.
We pray for the Residents in their anxiety and those whose businesses are in jeopardy.
May they know your comfort and peace.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

We give thanks for the compassion and concern shown throughout the Exeter Fire.
We give thanks for rich heritage we share through our ancient buildings and as we gather in this sacred place we remember all those who have bought their gifts, time and care to the life of Exeter .
We pray especially for the owners and staff of the Royal Clarence Hotel, the Well House Pub, the Abode café and the Exeter Cathedral Green Art Gallery.
We pray for our cities safe keeping and we join our prayers with the prayers of those who have gone before us in committing ourselves and the people of Exeter to God’s unfailing love.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.