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Fire cuts 'hindered blaze effort' Fire cuts 'hindered hotel effort'
(about 8 hours later)
Cuts to the fire service compromised efforts to tackle a fatal hotel blaze in Cornwall, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has claimed.Cuts to the fire service compromised efforts to tackle a fatal hotel blaze in Cornwall, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has claimed.
One man died and two people are still missing after the fire at Newquay's Penhallow Hotel on Saturday.One man died and two people are still missing after the fire at Newquay's Penhallow Hotel on Saturday.
The FBU said there were not enough firefighters to operate equipment.The FBU said there were not enough firefighters to operate equipment.
Emergency teams are preparing to search for survivors as well as any evidence of the cause of the fire in the partly destroyed four-storey building. Chief Fire Officer Matt Littmoden has told BBC News there were "probably" insufficient people to crew a second pump from Newquay.
A search for the missing hotel guests and for any evidence to help establish the cause of the fire will not begin until Tuesday.
'Horrified''Horrified'
The FBU said the low levels of staff cover meant there were not enough firefighters to operate pumps when the fire broke out.The FBU said the low levels of staff cover meant there were not enough firefighters to operate pumps when the fire broke out.
General secretary Matt Wrack said: "There were not enough crews in the area to man the second pump. It is dangerous not to have sufficient night time cover."General secretary Matt Wrack said: "There were not enough crews in the area to man the second pump. It is dangerous not to have sufficient night time cover."
FBU member Kevin Herniman said he was horrified by what had happened.FBU member Kevin Herniman said he was horrified by what had happened.
HOTEL FIRE HELPLINE Holdsworth Hotels has set up a helpline for anyone concerned about a friend or relative on 01254 889 900 In pictures: Fire aftermath Family's shock after fireHOTEL FIRE HELPLINE Holdsworth Hotels has set up a helpline for anyone concerned about a friend or relative on 01254 889 900 In pictures: Fire aftermath Family's shock after fire
Firefighters were currently campaigning against the downgrading of two fire stations in Cornwall, he said.Firefighters were currently campaigning against the downgrading of two fire stations in Cornwall, he said.
"This goes to prove that if you cut the level of service within the fire service people will die," he added."This goes to prove that if you cut the level of service within the fire service people will die," he added.
The FBU also said the service's aerial platform, needed to fight fires in multi-storey buildings effectively, had to travel 50 miles from Plymouth.The FBU also said the service's aerial platform, needed to fight fires in multi-storey buildings effectively, had to travel 50 miles from Plymouth.
Two of the platforms operated by the Cornwall Fire Brigade were being repaired.Two of the platforms operated by the Cornwall Fire Brigade were being repaired.
Screen plannedScreen planned
Meanwhile, search teams had hoped to begin their work at the hotel, owned by Holdsworth Hotels, on Sunday afternoon. Search teams had hoped to begin their work at the hotel, owned by Holdsworth Hotels, on Sunday afternoon.
However, Supt John Green of Devon and Cornwall Police said it would be Monday afternoon at the very earliest before the teams could start work. However, Devon and Cornwall Police has said teams will not start work until Tuesday.
They would build a screen around the site before starting the search, he said. A screen is being built around the site before starting the search, he said.
Your photos: Hotel blaze Blaze causes disruptionYour photos: Hotel blaze Blaze causes disruption
"We hope to start the search in the afternoon but it may be Tuesday morning," Supt Green said.
"It depends when we can finish getting scaffolding up to put screens around the site."
Police believe the 43-year-old man who died in the fire fell from a second-floor window.Police believe the 43-year-old man who died in the fire fell from a second-floor window.
Four other people remain in hospital. Three are in a stable condition and one is said to be in a critical but stable condition. The four people who remain in the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro are said to be improving. One is in a critical but stable condition and three are in a stable condition.
Two other people reported missing after the fire presented themselves to police in Newquay on Sunday.Two other people reported missing after the fire presented themselves to police in Newquay on Sunday.
More than 80 people safely escaped from the building.More than 80 people safely escaped from the building.
Specialist demolition crews have pulled down the precarious upper floors of the hotel, which were in danger of collapse.Specialist demolition crews have pulled down the precarious upper floors of the hotel, which were in danger of collapse.
Were you in the area? Did you witness the fire or were among those evacuated? Send us your comments and experiences by filling out the form belowWere you in the area? Did you witness the fire or were among those evacuated? Send us your comments and experiences by filling out the form below
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