14/05/2008

Cornwall Blaze Detectives Make More Arrests

Detectives have arrested two more people in connection with a fatal fire at a Cornish hotel.

The fire at the Penhallow Hotel in Newquay, Cornwall, last August, claimed the lives of three people.

Joan Harper 80, Peter Hughes, 43, and his mother Monica, 86, of Staffordshire lost their lives in the blaze.

It is reported that Mr Hughes jumped from the third floor of the hotel after attempting to save his mother.

A police spokesman said that a 42-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman were arrested on Tuesday and both remain in custody at Newquay police station.

Two men, aged 21 and 44, were arrested on suspicion of murder in January but were subsequently bailed until June.

Police in Cornwall said that the deaths were being treated as murder, after it was established by experts that the fire was malicious.

Around 120 firefighters fought the blaze which has been described as the "worst the country has seen in 30 years".

Up to 90 people escaped the inferno.

Since the fire, Cornwall County Council has agreed to fund a pilot of the new duty scheme and is reported to be considering buying another aerial platform or sharing with other brigades across the South West.

The Mayor of Newquay, Patrick Lambshead admitted that is did not have enough staff to crew a second pump to tackle the blaze and had to call for 24-hour fire cover from other stations in town.

Joan Harper's sister, Marjorie Brys said that to lose her sister was "a terrible blow" and that she hoped that "police will now bring to justice whoever is responsible for such a terrible act".

See: Search Continues At Hotel Fire Site

See: Two Arrested Over Cornwall Hotel Fire Deaths

(DS)


Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

08 May 2009
Heroic Tyne Firemen Honoured
Two Tyne and Wear firefighters are to be recognised for their bravery at a special ceremony today. Andrew Nelson and Allan Richardson will be presented with the Chief Fire Officer's Commendations for brave and meritorious conduct after saving a man's life. The men took part in a dramatic rescue in the early hours of 4 February.
31 August 2006
Firefighters launch four-day strike
More than 1,000 firefighters across Merseyside have begun a four-day strike in protest over planned job cuts. Another four-day stoppage is scheduled to begin two hours after the first one ends.
03 March 2010
Suspicious Glasgow Car Fires
Detectives in Glasgow's East End are investigating a spate of vehicle fire attacks in the city yesterday. Shortly after 3.30am police were called to a report of a vehicle fire in Ashvale Crescent, Glasgow. Upon arrival police were advised by Strathclyde Fire Service that four vehicles had been damaged by fire.
19 November 2008
Chief Fire Officer Resigns Over Child Porn Arrest
A top fire officer for the West Midlands Fire Service has resigned after he was arrested on suspicion of making indecent images of children. West Midlands Police arrested Frank Sheehan, 55, yesterday at his home in Sutton Coldfield.
17 February 2009
Homophobia In The Fire & Rescue Service Is Unacceptable: Sadiq Khan
The Fire Minister Sadiq Khan and the Fire & Rescue Service's associations and unions joined forces today urging all Fire and Rescue Services to sign up to the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme.