Emergency services were called to the scene shortly after 1am (Picture: H.Hilton/UKNIP)

A massive fire has ripped through a 400-year-old hotel where refugees from Ukraine are thought to have been staying.

Firefighters were called to the Angel Inn and a second property in Midhurst, West Sussex, in the early hours of this morning.

It is thought flames broke out shortly after 1am at the building next to the historic hotel on North Street before spreading to its roof.

Resident Hilton Holloway said around 30 people – including some children – were evacuated from the hotel.

The fire started just after 1am (Picture: H.Hilton/UKNIP)

Most of the roof of the two buildings is fully destroyed (Picture: H.Hilton/UKNIP)

‘There were a number of Ukrainian refugees in the hotel, which had 15 rooms,’ he said.

‘I spoke to one young woman who seemed relatively calm.’

Mr Holloway, who lives on the other side of North Street, awoke to the blaze and rushed outside.

Pictures taken by him show the spread of the flames from the adjoining building to the roof of the Angel Inn.

At least 10 fire engines were deployed to the scene (Picture: H.Hilton/UKNIP)

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Services called the fire ‘significant’.

Ten fire engines, an aerial ladder platform, water carrier and off-road vehicle were deployed to the scene.

Meanwhile, Sussex Police, which sent officers to the scene, warned road closures would be in place in the local area.

No casualties have been reported.

Around 30 people were evacuated from the hotel.