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Demolition begins at blaze hotel Demolition begins at blaze hotel
(40 minutes later)
Demolition has begun at a Cornwall hotel after a fire in which a man died and four others were injured. Demolition has begun at a Cornwall hotel after a fire in which a man died and four people were injured.
Six people are still missing after the blaze which swept through the Penhallow Hotel in Newquay in the early hours. Police said fears were growing for six people still missing after the blaze at the Penhallow Hotel in Newquay.
Fire crews had to withdraw when parts of the structure gave way. Police said they thought the man who died had fallen from a second-floor window.Fire crews had to withdraw when parts of the structure gave way. Police said they thought the man who died had fallen from a second-floor window.
The top two storeys of the four-storey hotel and its facade will be demolished before fire and police investigate.The top two storeys of the four-storey hotel and its facade will be demolished before fire and police investigate.
More than 80 people managed to get out of the building safely. More than 80 people managed to get out of the building safely during the blaze in the early hours of Saturday morning.
InvestigationInvestigation
Fire crews said they were working with a specialist contractor to remove the upper floors of the building and make it safe.Fire crews said they were working with a specialist contractor to remove the upper floors of the building and make it safe.
Senior divisional officer Colin Hatch said a controlled demolition was necessary before fire and police personnel could start their investigation into the cause of the blaze. Chief Constable Stephen Otter said: "One of the difficulties we have at the moment is going through the process of interviewing everyone who has come out," he said.
No-one would be allowed into the evacuated neighbouring buildings until the fire service had carried out a full risk assessment, he added. "The longer we go on the more concerned we become for the welfare of those people. We have to investigate what happened along with the fire service and that will take time."
Your photos: Hotel blaze Guests offered refuge Eyewitnesses tell of blazeYour photos: Hotel blaze Guests offered refuge Eyewitnesses tell of blaze
Cornwall Fire Brigade senior divisional officer Colin Hatch said a controlled demolition was necessary before fire and police personnel could start their investigation into the cause of the blaze.
No-one would be allowed into the evacuated neighbouring buildings until the fire service had carried out a full risk assessment, he added.
Cornwall Fire Brigade chief officer Matt Littmoden said there was a timber fire escape at the rear of the hotel. He said there had been issues over the "structural integrity" of the fire escape, but there had been no concerns .
Devon and Cornwall emergency services said the four casualties were in hospital, but could not confirm the extent of their injuries.Devon and Cornwall emergency services said the four casualties were in hospital, but could not confirm the extent of their injuries.
They said that when the fire broke out the hotel was close to capacity with 86 guests, three members of staff and a coach driver in the building.They said that when the fire broke out the hotel was close to capacity with 86 guests, three members of staff and a coach driver in the building.
The fire service said a total of 23 appliances were sent to tackle the blaze after it was called to the scene at 0015 BST. Forced back
Three neighbouring buildings, also described as hotels, were evacuated as a precaution. The fire service sent a total of 23 appliances to tackle the blaze after it was called to the scene at 0015 BST.
Firefighters said the four-storey building was in danger of complete collapse, which made it difficult to completely extinguish the smaller fires. Three neighbouring buildings, also said to be hotels, were evacuated as a precaution.
Senior divisional officer Colin Hatch said more than 120 firefighters who attended the blaze were forced to pull back due to the instability of the hotel's outside walls. Mr Hatch said more than 120 firefighters who attended the blaze were forced to pull back due to the instability of the hotel's outside walls.
Three neighbouring buildings, also described as hotels, were evacuated as a precaution.
HOTEL FIRE HELPLINES The police information line number is 0800 056 0154The hotel firm has also set up a helpline for anyone who is concerned about a friend or relative on 01254 889 900HOTEL FIRE HELPLINES The police information line number is 0800 056 0154The hotel firm has also set up a helpline for anyone who is concerned about a friend or relative on 01254 889 900
The hotel's owners said smoke detectors and fire doors had been checked two weeks ago.The hotel's owners said smoke detectors and fire doors had been checked two weeks ago.
Ted Stimpson, deputy chief constable of Devon and Cornwall Police, said the search for the missing guests would continue and urged people in the area to stay away from the scene for their own safety.Ted Stimpson, deputy chief constable of Devon and Cornwall Police, said the search for the missing guests would continue and urged people in the area to stay away from the scene for their own safety.
Local resident Luke Steward told BBC News 24 he was in a pub when the fire broke out.Local resident Luke Steward told BBC News 24 he was in a pub when the fire broke out.
"We just saw the roof was well alight and 10 minutes later the lobby was ablaze.""We just saw the roof was well alight and 10 minutes later the lobby was ablaze."
He said later that "the central part of the hotel collapsed".
Mr Steward said his brother told him he had seen people jumping out of windows onto blankets in an effort to escape from the burning building.Mr Steward said his brother told him he had seen people jumping out of windows onto blankets in an effort to escape from the burning building.
'Nightmare'
Emergency planning staff from Cornwall County Council have set up a reception centre at a local pub - the Fort Inn, in Fore Street, Newquay - for those evacuated.Emergency planning staff from Cornwall County Council have set up a reception centre at a local pub - the Fort Inn, in Fore Street, Newquay - for those evacuated.
Guests from the hotel were also being cared for at the nearby Reef Surf Lodge. Guests from the hotel were also being cared for at the nearby Reef Surf Lodge. They are later expected to be sent to a local sports hall.
The Penhallow is owned by Holdsworth Hotels and used regularly by Robinsons Holidays, a family-run tour operator based in Lancashire. Both firms are owned by the same parent company, O&C Holdsworth.The Penhallow is owned by Holdsworth Hotels and used regularly by Robinsons Holidays, a family-run tour operator based in Lancashire. Both firms are owned by the same parent company, O&C Holdsworth.
A spokesman for Robinsons said: "We do know that there were at least 86 people in the hotel who were with a Robinsons coach holiday.A spokesman for Robinsons said: "We do know that there were at least 86 people in the hotel who were with a Robinsons coach holiday.
"They are part of the same group that owns the hotel and they do cater for the more mature passenger, largely from the north and north-west of England.""They are part of the same group that owns the hotel and they do cater for the more mature passenger, largely from the north and north-west of England."
Were you in the area? Did you witness the fire? Send us your observations.
Were you in the area? Did you witness the fire? Send us your observations.
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