First victim of Newquay hotel fire named

The victim of the Penhallow Hotel fire in Newquay who died from jumping out of a third floor window has been named as Peter Hughes.

Hughes, a 43-year old teacher from Staffordshire was among guests as the fire broke out on Saturday night. The fire was so fierce that during the blaze fire crews had to withdraw from the site of the hotel as parts of the structure gave way.

An inquest into the death of Hughes is due to take place, as the site of the fire has been declared a crime scene by police until any evidence to the contrary surfaces.

Human remains have also been found in the remnants of the Cornish hotel. While Hughes' death has been confirmed by Cornish coroners two people remain missing from the 86 guests who were staying in the hotel.

Hughes is the first person to die from a hotel fire in 38 years.

The head of Cornwall's fire service Matt Littmoden had said that his resources were stretched in dealing with the blaze after fire services have been downgraded in the county.

John Dyson, food and technology affairs advisor at the BHA, told Caterer that some BHA members in the area had expressed concern about their proximity to fire-fighting services in the region and the safety of their guests.

Search for missing guests begin at Penhallow Hotel in Newquay >>

Fire destroys Newquay's Penhallow hotel >>

By Christopher Walton

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