THE blaze has been described as a “damaging blow” to the city ahead of tourist season.

City council leader Bob Price said he wasn’t sure how long the Randolph Hotel would be closed but said other hotels would be willing to help.

He said: “No one is sure how long it will be out of commission but other hotels will be willing to take on people who have booked there in the coming months.

“But I think the other hotels will do what they can to step in to provide alternative accommodation.

“There’s a strong sense of camaraderie in the county which is something we are very proud of – it’s a great aspect of the city.”

Those in pubs and cafes around the back of the hotel said they were left counting the cost of closing early on Friday night.

Staff at the White Rabbit pub, in Friars Entry, estimated lost takings at between £2,000 and £3,000 after police ordered them to close from fear of the fire spreading.

The nearby bar Cinnamon Cafe also closed on Friday afternoon, while the Odeon cinema and Jimbob’s Baguettes, both Magdalen Street, remained closed until Saturday.

White Rabbit barmen, Gus Rodgers, said the pub re-opened later on. He said: “I went outside because I saw all the smoke before any fire engines got here and people were trying to work out where it was coming from.”

The 24-year-old added at one point he feared the fire would engulf the pub as well.

He said: “It was scary at the time because the fire could have spread and there are a lot of buildings which are attached.

“It could all have gone up if the fire wasn’t brought under control.”

Manager of the cocktail bar Cinnamon Cafe, Said Adan, also closed on the advice of police officers.

On Saturday morning firefighters were hoisted in a crane above the hotel to inspect it for damage.

Visitors to the Ashmolean roof-top restaurant watched crews inspect the damage.

Ollie Fitzgerald, 29, from Wallingford, said: “I used to work at Oxford University Press and would go past here every day.”

Steve Hurst, 83, of Hanborough, visited the hotel while studying at the Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art.

He said: “In a way we felt quite at home there so I have a bit of attachment to the hotel.

“One of my students had a painting in the tea room.”

Jean and Doug Stanbridge, of Faringdon, said: “It’s a shame because it’s a lovely building.

“Let’s hope it can be up and running again.”