Firefighters on scene at a large fire at the Royal Albion Hotel beside Brighton seafront on July 15 (Picture: Getty)

The blaze which gutted a huge section of Brighton’s historic Royal Albion Hotel was caused by a discarded cigarette, firefighters believe.

Crews from stations across Sussex were scrambled to the Grade II-listed building on July 15 after a fire broke out on the fourth floor, sending plumes of smoke billowing across the seafront.

Around 100 people were evacuated from the surrounding area while they battled to bring the blaze under control.

An investigation by East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service has ruled the cause was accidental, with a spokesman saying it ‘likely started by a discarded cigarette which had not been completely put out’.

The 219-bedroom regency-style hotel, which overlooks Brighton Pier, was built in 1826. It is run by Britannia Hotels.

Part of the building was Grade II* listed by English Heritage and suffered a previous fire in November 1998.

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An investigation by East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service has ruled the cause was accidental.