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Safety work at fire-ravaged hotel Safety work at fire-ravaged hotel
(30 minutes later)
Construction crews are working to make safe a seaside hotel gutted by fire as rescuers wait to begin searching the building for four people still missing. Construction crews are working to make safe a seaside hotel gutted by fire as search teams wait to begin looking for four people still missing.
A man died and five people were hurt in the blaze at the Penhallow Hotel in Newquay, Cornwall, on Saturday morning.A man died and five people were hurt in the blaze at the Penhallow Hotel in Newquay, Cornwall, on Saturday morning.
Police said they believed the man who died had fallen from a second-floor window of the hotel.Police said they believed the man who died had fallen from a second-floor window of the hotel.
More than 80 people escaped from the building safely but fears are growing for those still missing.More than 80 people escaped from the building safely but fears are growing for those still missing.
Chief Constable Stephen Otter said: "The longer we go on the more concerned we become for the welfare of those people."Chief Constable Stephen Otter said: "The longer we go on the more concerned we become for the welfare of those people."
Wooden fire escapeWooden fire escape
Of the five injured, two were said to be in a critical condition.Of the five injured, two were said to be in a critical condition.
Hotel demolishedHotel demolished
On Saturday, construction crews demolished some of the gutted remains of the four-storey hotel.On Saturday, construction crews demolished some of the gutted remains of the four-storey hotel.
Fire crews said they had been working with a specialist contractor to remove the upper floors of the building to make it safe.Fire crews said they had been working with a specialist contractor to remove the upper floors of the building to make it safe.
A fire service investigation will begin and police said a detailed search would start to see if anyone died inside the hotel itself.A fire service investigation will begin and police said a detailed search would start to see if anyone died inside the hotel itself.
Cornwall Fire Brigade chief officer Matt Littmoden said there had been a timber fire-escape at the rear of the hotel.Cornwall Fire Brigade chief officer Matt Littmoden said there had been 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 no concerns over the fact it was made of wood.He said there had been issues over the "structural integrity" of the fire-escape, but no concerns over the fact it was made of wood.
BurglaryBurglary
The fire-escape had last passed a safety inspection in 2006. The hotel's owners said smoke detectors and fire doors had been checked two weeks ago.The fire-escape had last passed a safety inspection in 2006. The hotel's owners said smoke detectors and fire doors had been checked two weeks ago.
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 889 900 Guests offered refuge Nightmare end to holidayHOTEL 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 Guests offered refuge Nightmare end to holiday
Police said a burglary took place the evening before the fire, but they were not currently linking the two events.Police said a burglary took place the evening before the fire, but they were not currently linking the two events.
They are keen to talk to any potential witnesses of the burglary which happened shortly after 1900 BST on Friday.They are keen to talk to any potential witnesses of the burglary which happened shortly after 1900 BST on Friday.
Devon and Cornwall emergency services said that when the fire broke out at 0015 BST, the hotel had been close to capacity with 86 guests, three members of staff and a coach driver in the building.Devon and Cornwall emergency services said that when the fire broke out at 0015 BST, the hotel had been close to capacity with 86 guests, three members of staff and a coach driver in the building.
The fire service sent a total of 23 appliances to tackle the blaze. Police Superintendent John Green said emergency equipment was drawn from a wide area to tackle the blaze.
Police Superintendent John Green said assistance was drawn from a wide area.
"We live in a very rural part of the world. With its own beauty comes the fact that resources can be dispersed across the 1,400 square miles of Cornwall," Mr Green said."We live in a very rural part of the world. With its own beauty comes the fact that resources can be dispersed across the 1,400 square miles of Cornwall," Mr Green said.
Three neighbouring buildings were evacuated as a precaution.Three neighbouring buildings were evacuated as a precaution.
Your photos: Hotel blaze Eyewitnesses describe fireYour photos: Hotel blaze Eyewitnesses describe fire
Some guests from the hotel were cared for at the nearby Reef Surf Lodge and a sports hall while others returned to their homes in north-west England.Some guests from the hotel were cared for at the nearby Reef Surf Lodge and a sports hall while others returned to their homes in north-west England.
Floral tributes have been placed near the hotel. One read: "In tragic circumstances such as these all I can offer is my personal sympathy and condolences for everyone who is affected by this terrible event."
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.
David Lord, director of Robinsons Travel, said senior managers from the company had travelled to Newquay to assess the damage.David Lord, director of Robinsons Travel, said senior managers from the company had travelled to Newquay to assess the damage.