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Seaside hotel hit by serious fireSun Mar 23 16:00:25 UTC 2008 |
Seaside hotel hit by serious fireSun Mar 23 17:40:35 UTC 2008 |
Firefighters are dampening down after a blaze destroyed a disused hotel at a seaside resort in Pembrokeshire. | Firefighters are damping down after a blaze destroyed a disused hotel at a seaside resort in Pembrokeshire. |
| The five-storey Royal Gate House hotel on Tenby seafront has been left unsafe after it was engulfed by flames at about 2300 GMT on Saturday. | The five-storey Royal Gate House hotel on Tenby seafront has been left unsafe after it was engulfed by flames at about 2300 GMT on Saturday. |
| The 59-room hotel was empty but residents in flats and at a nearby hotel were moved to safety. | The 59-room hotel was empty but residents in flats and at a nearby hotel were moved to safety. |
| Fire chiefs said the "serious fire" spread to a tanning studio and had threatened a nearby cinema. | Fire chiefs said the "serious fire" spread to a tanning studio and had threatened a nearby cinema. |
| On Sunday afternoon, crews were still damping down the hot spots using ground monitors. | On Sunday afternoon, crews were still damping down the hot spots using ground monitors. |
| Roads remained closed in the town centre. | Roads remained closed in the town centre. |
| The roof of the hotel partially collapsed and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said its crews were stopped from entering the building because its structure was unsafe. | The roof of the hotel partially collapsed and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said its crews were stopped from entering the building because its structure was unsafe. |
| No-one was injured but 40 people were moved by Dyfed-Powys Police from the Royal Lion Hotel and nearby flats. | No-one was injured but 40 people were moved by Dyfed-Powys Police from the Royal Lion Hotel and nearby flats. |
| The hotel guests were allowed to return on Sunday but residents from the flats were given temporary shelter in a hotel. | The hotel guests were allowed to return on Sunday but residents from the flats were given temporary shelter in a hotel. |
| The front of the damaged hotel, from the seafront | The front of the damaged hotel, from the seafront |
| Assistant chief fire officer Phil Bailey said earlier: "Fire crews are currently involved in creating a fire break to try and prevent the fire from spreading to adjoining properties in the area." | Assistant chief fire officer Phil Bailey said earlier: "Fire crews are currently involved in creating a fire break to try and prevent the fire from spreading to adjoining properties in the area." |
| He said firefighting conditions had been difficult due to the unsafe structure of the building and the "close proximity of other properties". | He said firefighting conditions had been difficult due to the unsafe structure of the building and the "close proximity of other properties". |
| The fire spread to a tanning studio next door and for a time threatened a local cinema. | The fire spread to a tanning studio next door and for a time threatened a local cinema. |
| Cause | Cause |
| Ten fire engines from as far afield as Port Talbot, Swansea and Carmarthen worked through the night to bring the blaze under control. | Ten fire engines from as far afield as Port Talbot, Swansea and Carmarthen worked through the night to bring the blaze under control. |
| Twelve crews remained at the scene on Sunday afternoon. | Twelve crews remained at the scene on Sunday afternoon. |
| Divisional fire commander Nick Webley said "They have carried out some fantastic work in very difficult conditions." | Divisional fire commander Nick Webley said "They have carried out some fantastic work in very difficult conditions." |
| The fire took hold in the third and fourth floors of the building in White Lion Street, as well as destroying the roof. | The fire took hold in the third and fourth floors of the building in White Lion Street, as well as destroying the roof. |
| Firefighters continue at the scene on Sunday. Photo: Tony Smiles | Firefighters continue at the scene on Sunday. Photo: Tony Smiles |
| A fire service spokesperson said the fire had been "surrounded" at 0900 but a crew had to extinguish a fire in the lobby at 1200. | A fire service spokesperson said the fire had been "surrounded" at 0900 but a crew had to extinguish a fire in the lobby at 1200. |
| The building is structurally unsound amid fears of further collapse, after the front wall was lost. | The building is structurally unsound amid fears of further collapse, after the front wall was lost. |
| An initial survey has been carried out by Pembrokeshire County Council but the building has been too dangerous for an engineer to look inside. | An initial survey has been carried out by Pembrokeshire County Council but the building has been too dangerous for an engineer to look inside. |
| Local councillor Mike Evans said the town remained open for business, but he appealed for visitors to park their cars on the outskirts, as road closures remained in place. | Local councillor Mike Evans said the town remained open for business, but he appealed for visitors to park their cars on the outskirts, as road closures remained in place. |
| Police have had to draft in extra officers to deal with the large crowds of people who gathered to watch the fire. | Police have had to draft in extra officers to deal with the large crowds of people who gathered to watch the fire. |
| Insp Alan Millichip said it was too early to speculate on the cause of the fire but said a joint investigation would begin when the building was secured. | Insp Alan Millichip said it was too early to speculate on the cause of the fire but said a joint investigation would begin when the building was secured. |
