This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/7256073.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Hotel fire deaths 'not planned' Fatal hotel fire team's new leads
(about 4 hours later)
The person who started a hotel fire that killed three people may not have intended to hurt anyone, police said. Former employees have given detectives new leads in their investigation into a fatal hotel fire in Cornwall.
Officers in Cornwall are working on the theory the blaze was an attempt to "create a dramatic event to be at the centre of attention". Some "very interesting" calls were received after a reconstruction of the Penhallow Hotel fire in Newquay on the Crimewatch programme, police said.
Det Ch Insp Darren Lockley explained their theory the fire, in Newquay, was featured in a TV reconstruction. Joan Harper, 80, Peter Hughes, 43, and his mother Monica, 86, of Staffs, died in the blaze, last August.
Joan Harper, 80, Peter Hughes, 43, and his mother Monica, 86, of Staffs, died in the Penhallow Hotel fire, last year. Officers are working on the theory the fire was an attempt to "create a dramatic event for attention".
Up to 90 people were forced to escape from the fire, which police said was the worst in the county for 30 years.Up to 90 people were forced to escape from the fire, which police said was the worst in the county for 30 years.
Two men, aged 21 and 44, were arrested on suspicion of murder last month and released on bail until 9 April.Two men, aged 21 and 44, were arrested on suspicion of murder last month and released on bail until 9 April.
We want someone to be brave enough now to step up and say exactly what happened Det Ch Insp Darren LockleyWe want someone to be brave enough now to step up and say exactly what happened Det Ch Insp Darren Lockley
Det Ch Insp Lockley said the fire began between 2315 and 0015 GMT on August 18, 2007, in the hotel bar and can only have been started deliberately. Det Ch Insp Darren Lockley said the fire began between 2315 and 0015 GMT on August 18, 2007, in the hotel bar and can only have been started deliberately.
But he said the person who started it may not have intended to hurt anyone.
Speaking on the BBC's Crimewatch programme, he said the person responsible "possibly did not foresee the speed of the fire and how quickly it took hold."Speaking on the BBC's Crimewatch programme, he said the person responsible "possibly did not foresee the speed of the fire and how quickly it took hold."
"It may well be they never realised, and never intended to hurt anyone," said Det Ch Insp Lockley."It may well be they never realised, and never intended to hurt anyone," said Det Ch Insp Lockley.
"We want someone to be brave enough now to step up and say exactly what happened.""We want someone to be brave enough now to step up and say exactly what happened."
'Significant' calls
Holidaymaker Mr Hughes, of Cheslyn Hay, Staffordshire, died trying to rescue his mother, Monica, from the fire.Holidaymaker Mr Hughes, of Cheslyn Hay, Staffordshire, died trying to rescue his mother, Monica, from the fire.
Ms Harper, from Stoke on Trent, was also on holiday in the resort, when she was fatally injured in the blaze.Ms Harper, from Stoke on Trent, was also on holiday in the resort, when she was fatally injured in the blaze.
Last month, detectives announced the fatalities were being treated as murder after painstaking inquiries by fire service investigators and independent experts established the fire was started deliberately.Last month, detectives announced the fatalities were being treated as murder after painstaking inquiries by fire service investigators and independent experts established the fire was started deliberately.
After the television appeal Det Ch Insp Lockley said: "Some of the calls received as a result of the programme have given us some interesting lines of enquiry.
"This includes people who called in who have had connections with the hotel in the past.
"The investigative team will now be actively following up these lines of enquiry."