Oxford

Randolph fire — The street has been closed both ways to allow emergency services access to the building

The five-star Randolph Hotel in the centre of Oxford is ablaze.

Firefighters have been battling the flames at the 150-year-old gothic building on Beaumont Street since about 16:30 BST. The street has been closed both ways to allow emergency services access to the building.

Eyewitnesses have reported thick black smoke plumes coming from the vicinity of the Victorian building.

Anabel Bacon told the BBC smoke "came erupting out of the hotel".

No casualties have been reported, police said.

Ms Bacon, who was on the roof terrace of the Ashmolean Museum opposite the hotel, said the smoke "stopped very quickly so we thought it was over, and then all of a sudden it resumed again with just as much force".

Media captionThe BBC's Tom Turrell visited the scene of the blaze

"The fire service was there very quickly after the second plume erupted, within five minutes," she said.

"Everyone was surprised… no one knew what was going on."

Randolph fire from the air — Smoke has been spreading across the city from the five-star hotel

Flames at Randolph Hotel — Fire crews are using a hydraulic platform as they battle the flames

Tom Scott was driving past the 150-year old hotel when he saw smoke burst from within.

He said: "I turned into Beaumont Street from Worcester Street and you just couldn't miss it.

"It was a very thick ball of smoke. I parked up and told the porter what I could see.

"Then another plume came out and he must have realised what was going on. He shouted to phone the fire brigade as soon as he saw it.

"There were still people sat down drinking tea in the restaurant."

Crowds at Randolph fire — Hundreds of onlookers are at the scene

Leo Wilkins was staying in the hotel with his wife and was among the guests forced to flee the building.

"While walking down from the second floor I could smell smoke in the building," he explained.

"It's not looking very good. I'm just hoping there's no water damage in the upper bedrooms.

"It'll be nice to get the clothes that I'm going to wear to a wedding tomorrow.

"Obviously, everyone's safe and that's what's important."

Buildings evacuated

Hundreds of onlookers are gathered at the scene, with about 15 fire engines on site.

Thames Valley Police and South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) have also been called.

An SCAS spokesman said its hazardous area response team was at the scene.

A police spokesman said: "The hotel and other buildings adjoining it have been evacuated as a precaution and there have been no reported casualties, nor has anybody needed to be rescued.

"There will be severe traffic disruption and motorists are asked to avoid the area."

The hotel was a regular feature in the TV series Inspector Morse, where it featured as one of the detective's favourite haunts.