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Inquest into hotel deaths begins Hotel blaze 'worst' in 40 years
(20 minutes later)
A fire at a seafront hotel which killed three people was the worst in the UK for 40 years, an inquest has heard. A seafront hotel fire which killed three people was the UK's worst for almost 40 years, an inquest has heard.
Joan Harper, 80, Peter Hughes, 43, and his mother Monica Hughes, 86 all died after the blaze at Penhallow Hotel in Newquay in August 2007.Joan Harper, 80, Peter Hughes, 43, and his mother Monica Hughes, 86 all died after the blaze at Penhallow Hotel in Newquay in August 2007.
A murder investigation was launched after the fire and four people were arrested but all were released. A murder investigation was launched after the fire and four people were arrested. All were later released.
The inquest at Launceston Magistrates' Court was told there were no prosecutions pending. The inquest at Launceston Magistrates' Court heard no prosecutions were pending, but the case remained open.
The families of the three victims have travelled to Cornwall to attend the inquest.
Mark Boeck, area manager for Cornwall Fire Service, told the inquest: "This fire has been recognised as the worst in the UK for nearly 40 years.Mark Boeck, area manager for Cornwall Fire Service, told the inquest: "This fire has been recognised as the worst in the UK for nearly 40 years.
"It ultimately resulted in the deaths of Monica Hughes, Peter Hughes and Joan Harper.""It ultimately resulted in the deaths of Monica Hughes, Peter Hughes and Joan Harper."
Mr Hughes, a teacher from Cheslyn Hay, Staffordshire, jumped from the third floor after trying to save his mother.Mr Hughes, a teacher from Cheslyn Hay, Staffordshire, jumped from the third floor after trying to save his mother.
Cornwall Coroner Emma Carlyon described the opening of the inquest as a "scene setting" day to give the jury a clear idea of events.
The jury was also shown a three-dimensional model of the hotel before it was destroyed by the fire, which police believe was started deliberately using a naked flame.