A fire has broken out at a hotel in Brighton, with emergency services saying high winds are impeding their efforts to tackle the blaze. East Sussex fire and rescue service (ESFR) was called to the Royal Albion hotel on the seafront at 5.24pm, and later tweeted that “15 fire appliances, one high volume pump and three aerial ladder platforms [were] in attendance”. People were urged to stay away from the area around the Old Steine thoroughfare in the city, with local residents told to keep windows closed as smoke billowed out of the third floor blaze. The fire service said they were expecting to be tackling the fire throughout the night, as high winds were “creating difficult conditions” for firefighters. They confirmed that no casualties had been reported. A spokesperson for ESFR said of the emergency: “East Sussex fire and rescue service remains at the scene of a now 15 appliance fire in Brighton. An incident command centre has been set up at the scene. “We are working with other emergency services and agencies including Sussex police, the Environment Agency and Water Board. Locals are being advised to avoid the area where possible. Sussex police said: “We are supporting the fire service at the Royal Albion hotel in Old Steine in Brighton. The Old Steine and part of Kings Road have been closed while the incident is ongoing. We are asking the public to please avoid the area.” The fire came as thousands of people marched in the south coast city to demand equal rights on the 10th anniversary of Trans Pride Brighton. While organisers expected between 5,000 to 10,000 people to take part – half the original estimate after a yellow weather warning for wind and rain forced a change of route – the event is believed to have attracted 30,000 protesters. The comedian Eddie Izzard was spotted taking part while the Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas was among the speakers on the day. Brighton and Hove’s first openly trans councillor, Raphael Hill, were also addressing Trans Pride Brighton later on Saturday, which they said is “a real privilege”.