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Safety work at fire-ravaged hotel Safety work at fire-ravaged hotel
(10 minutes later)
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. Construction crews are working to make safe a seaside hotel gutted by fire as search teams wait to begin looking for two 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 dead man, who was in his 40s, had fallen from a second-floor window of the hotel.Police said they believed the dead man, who was in his 40s, had fallen from a second-floor window of the hotel.
Two other people who were reported missing after the fire have presented themselves to police in Newquay.
Supt John Green said the fire was still smouldering and no-one could begin searching until it was completely out.Supt John Green said the fire was still smouldering and no-one could begin searching until it was completely out.
"There's still smoke issuing from what remains of the Penhallow Hotel and therefore it is still a fire," he told BBC News 24."There's still smoke issuing from what remains of the Penhallow Hotel and therefore it is still a fire," he told BBC News 24.
He said search teams hoped to gain access to the scene by Sunday afternoon.He said search teams hoped to gain access to the scene by Sunday afternoon.
More than 80 people safely escaped from the building, but fears are growing for those still missing. More than 80 people safely escaped from the building, but there are fears 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."
Of the five injured people, one remains in a critical condition in hospital.Of the five injured people, one remains in a critical condition in hospital.
Two teamsTwo teams
Hotel demolishedHotel demolished
On Sunday morning, Supt Green said teams were beginning to clear rubble from the road beside the hotel.On Sunday morning, Supt Green said teams were beginning to clear rubble from the road beside the hotel.
"We will then start pulling debris from the scene. We hope to have screens up and to get in by early afternoon," he continued."We will then start pulling debris from the scene. We hope to have screens up and to get in by early afternoon," he continued.
"There will be two teams of fire and police investigators. The fire investigators will look for the cause of the fire and the police will look for evidence linked to any cause of death and any bodies that may be in there.""There will be two teams of fire and police investigators. The fire investigators will look for the cause of the fire and the police will look for evidence linked to any cause of death and any bodies that may be in there."
Anyone who was in the building at the time of collapse was unlikely to have survived, Supt Green added.Anyone who was in the building at the time of collapse was unlikely to have survived, Supt Green added.
Earlier, specialist demolition crews pulled down the precarious upper floors of the four-storey hotel.Earlier, specialist demolition crews pulled down the precarious upper floors of the four-storey hotel.
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.
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 In pictures: Fire aftermath Guests offered refugeHOTEL 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 In pictures: Fire aftermath Guests offered refuge
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.
Returning homeReturning home
Devon and Cornwall emergency services said that when the fire broke out at 0015 BST, the hotel was 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 was close to capacity with 86 guests, three members of staff and a coach driver in the building.
And Supt Green said assistance was drawn from a wide area to tackle the blaze.And Supt Green said assistance was drawn from a wide area to tackle the blaze.
"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.
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 more than 70 are returning 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 more than 70 are returning 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."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.


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