All guests and hotel staff accounted for following Mt Murray fire

The fire department has confirmed that all staff and guests in the Mount Murray hotel this morning are now safely accounted for.

A major blaze has ripped through the hotel complex this morning, devastating the upper part of the building.

The roads surrounding the hotel are currently closed while the emergency services continue to tackle the blaze.

Black smoke is still billowing from the hotel, with residents in the surrounding area urged to remain indoors with doors and windows closed.

Inspector Mark Britton said our pictures from the scene perfectly convey the devastation: