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Seaside hotel hit by serious fire

Sun Mar 23 10:00:15 UTC 2008

Seaside hotel hit by serious fire

Sun Mar 23 10:10:23 UTC 2008
Firefighters have been battling to control a blaze which has badly damaged a disused hotel at a seaside resort in Pembrokeshire.Firefighters have been battling to control a blaze which has badly damaged a disused hotel at a seaside resort in Pembrokeshire.
The 59-room Royal Gate House hotel on Tenby seafront was engulfed by flames at about 2300 GMT on Saturday.The five-storey Royal Gate House hotel on Tenby seafront was engulfed by flames at about 2300 GMT on Saturday.
The five-storey hotel was empty but residents in flats and at a nearby hotel were moved to safety.The 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.
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 has been injured in the fire but 35 people have been moved by Dyfed-Powys Police from the Lion Hotel and nearby flats.No-one has been injured in the fire but 35 people were moved by Dyfed-Powys Police from the Lion Hotel and nearby flats.
Assistant chief fire officer Phil Bailey said: "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: "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 were proving difficult due to the unsafe structure of the building and the "close proximity of other properties".He said firefighting conditions were proving 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.
Ten fire engines were called to the hotel overnight, from as far afield as Port Talbot, Swansea and Carmarthen.Ten fire engines were called to the hotel overnight, from as far afield as Port Talbot, Swansea and Carmarthen.
The fire had taken hold in the third and fourth floors of the building in White Lion Street.The fire had taken hold in the third and fourth floors of the building in White Lion Street.
A fire service spokesperson said the fire had been "surrounded" at 0900.A fire service spokesperson said the fire had been "surrounded" at 0900.
There were still around 35 firefighters at the scene, including two aerial appliances. There were still around 35 firefighters at the scene, including two aerial appliances.
The building is structurally unsound amid fears of further collapse, after the front wall was lost. A survey has been carried out by Pembrokeshire County Council.The building is structurally unsound amid fears of further collapse, after the front wall was lost. A survey has been carried out by Pembrokeshire County Council.