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Seaside hotel hit by serious fire Seaside hotel hit by serious fire
(about 1 hour later)
Firefighters worked through the night to control a blaze which has badly damaged a disused hotel at a seaside resort in Pembrokeshire.Firefighters worked through the night to control a blaze which has badly damaged a disused hotel at a seaside resort in Pembrokeshire.
The five-storey Royal Gate House hotel on Tenby seafront was engulfed by flames at about 2300 GMT on Saturday.The five-storey Royal Gate House hotel on Tenby seafront was engulfed by flames at about 2300 GMT on Saturday.
The 59-room hotel was empty but residents in flats and at a nearby hotel were moved to safety.The 59-room hotel was empty but residents in flats and at a nearby hotel were moved to safety.
Fire chiefs said the "serious fire" spread to a tanning studio and had threatened a nearby cinema.Fire chiefs said the "serious fire" spread to a tanning studio and had threatened a nearby cinema.
The roof of the hotel partially collapsed and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said its crews were stopped from entering the building because its structure was unsafe.The roof of the hotel partially collapsed and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said its crews were stopped from entering the building because its structure was unsafe.
No-one has been injured in the fire but 40 people were moved by Dyfed-Powys Police from the Royal Lion Hotel and nearby flats.No-one has been injured in the fire but 40 people were moved by Dyfed-Powys Police from the Royal Lion Hotel and nearby flats.
The hotel guests have been allowed to return but residents from the flats have been given temporary shelter in a hotel.The hotel guests have been allowed to return but residents from the flats have been given temporary shelter in a hotel.
The back of the damaged hotel, from the seafront The front of the damaged hotel, from the seafront
Assistant chief fire officer Phil Bailey said: "Fire crews are currently involved in creating a fire break to try and prevent the fire from spreading to adjoining properties in the area."Assistant chief fire officer Phil Bailey said: "Fire crews are currently involved in creating a fire break to try and prevent the fire from spreading to adjoining properties in the area."
He said firefighting conditions were proving difficult due to the unsafe structure of the building and the "close proximity of other properties".He said firefighting conditions were proving difficult due to the unsafe structure of the building and the "close proximity of other properties".
The fire spread to a tanning studio next door and for a time threatened a local cinema.The fire spread to a tanning studio next door and for a time threatened a local cinema.
CauseCause
Ten fire engines were called to the hotel overnight, from as far afield as Port Talbot, Swansea and Carmarthen. Twelve crews remained at the scene on Sunday afternoon.Ten fire engines were called to the hotel overnight, from as far afield as Port Talbot, Swansea and Carmarthen. Twelve crews remained at the scene on Sunday afternoon.
Divisional fire commander Nick Webley said "They have carried out some fantastic work in very difficult conditions."Divisional fire commander Nick Webley said "They have carried out some fantastic work in very difficult conditions."
The fire had taken hold in the third and fourth floors of the building in White Lion Street.The fire had taken hold in the third and fourth floors of the building in White Lion Street.
Firefighters continue at the scene on Sunday. Photo: Tony SmilesFirefighters continue at the scene on Sunday. Photo: Tony Smiles
A fire service spokesperson said the fire had been "surrounded" at 0900 but a crew had to extinguish a fire in the lobby at 1200.A fire service spokesperson said the fire had been "surrounded" at 0900 but a crew had to extinguish a fire in the lobby at 1200.
There were still around 35 firefighters at the scene, including two aerial appliances.There were still around 35 firefighters at the scene, including two aerial appliances.
The building is structurally unsound amid fears of further collapse, after the front wall was lost. An initial survey has been carried out by Pembrokeshire County Council but the building has been too dangerous for an engineer to look inside.The building is structurally unsound amid fears of further collapse, after the front wall was lost. An initial survey has been carried out by Pembrokeshire County Council but the building has been too dangerous for an engineer to look inside.
Local councillor Mike Evans said the town remained open for business, but he appealed for visitors to park their cars on the outskirts, as road closures remained in place.Local councillor Mike Evans said the town remained open for business, but he appealed for visitors to park their cars on the outskirts, as road closures remained in place.
Police have had to draft in extra officers to deal with the large crowds of people who gathered to watch the fire.Police have had to draft in extra officers to deal with the large crowds of people who gathered to watch the fire.
Insp Alan Millichip said it was too early to speculate on the cause of the fire but said a joint investigation would begin when the building was secured.Insp Alan Millichip said it was too early to speculate on the cause of the fire but said a joint investigation would begin when the building was secured.