Ten fire engines have been sent to the Metropole hotel on Brighton seafront in response to reports of a blaze there.
Sussex Police also has a significant presence at the scene and asked drivers to avoid the area.
Guests said that a fire had been reported on the sixth floor of the Victorian hotel.
A fire alarm was heard going off and guests and staff have been evacuated.
Earlier, Sussex Police said: “We are currently assisting East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service with a fire at the Metropole hotel, in King’s Road.
“Seven fire engines are at the scene and the road is blocked.
“All hotel guests have been evacuated.
“We are asking people to avoid the area while we deal with the incident.”
Their presence attracted attention, not least because it is just over two months since a devastating fire ravaged the Royal Albion Hotel a short distance further east along on the seafront.
The Metropole was recently rebranded as the Doubletree after being known as the Hilton Brighton Metropole for more than 20 years.
The hotel was designed by Alfred Waterhouse and opened in 1890 as the Metropole.
More as we have it.
Terrible response from the staff. Guests were going back into the hotel as the fire crews entered to put out the blaze. Several hours later and some guests were still in their rooms as the fire alarms failed to activate in many areas on the hotel. Crews struggled to gain access to the hilton as guests were not asked to move away from the doors.
Hope that the fire service will take action on these serious failings.