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Fire-hit Conway Court Hotel in Torquay to be demolished Fire-hit Conway Court Hotel in Torquay to be demolished
(about 3 hours later)
A derelict hotel in Torquay that was destroyed by fire will be demolished because of fears it may slip down a cliff on to a road below. A derelict hotel in Torquay which was destroyed by fire will be demolished because of fears it may slip down a cliff on to a road below.
The Conway Court Hotel, above Torquay's seafront, is in a "very precarious state", Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said.The Conway Court Hotel, above Torquay's seafront, is in a "very precarious state", Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said.
Demolition work on the four-storey hotel started on Tuesday night.Demolition work on the four-storey hotel started on Tuesday night.
About 80 firefighters tackled the blaze, which started about 21:15 GMT on Monday. No-one was hurt.About 80 firefighters tackled the blaze, which started about 21:15 GMT on Monday. No-one was hurt.
Ray Harris, of the fire service, said: "The building's in a very precarious state. We have a high sided, unsupported building which is on the edge of a cliff face."Ray Harris, of the fire service, said: "The building's in a very precarious state. We have a high sided, unsupported building which is on the edge of a cliff face."
'Gust of wind''Gust of wind'
Patrick Carney, street scene services manager at Torbay Council, said there was a risk that the hotel could collapse and fall down the cliff if demolition work was not carried out.Patrick Carney, street scene services manager at Torbay Council, said there was a risk that the hotel could collapse and fall down the cliff if demolition work was not carried out.
"The walls are freestanding and there is no lateral support, if there was a big gust of wind or even during demolition if the walls are accidentally knocked they could fall down," he added."The walls are freestanding and there is no lateral support, if there was a big gust of wind or even during demolition if the walls are accidentally knocked they could fall down," he added.
Each day, about 20,000 people drive along the road below the hotel, which has remained closed to vehicles since the incident.Each day, about 20,000 people drive along the road below the hotel, which has remained closed to vehicles since the incident.
Demolition work started on Tuesday night, but the "big machinery" will arrive on Wednesday morning, Mr Carney added.Demolition work started on Tuesday night, but the "big machinery" will arrive on Wednesday morning, Mr Carney added.
The fire forced the evacuation of nearby buildings and the seafront was closed after part of the hotel collapsed.The fire forced the evacuation of nearby buildings and the seafront was closed after part of the hotel collapsed.
An investigation into the cause of the fire will be carried out.An investigation into the cause of the fire will be carried out.