Penhallow Hotel fire

The cliffs above Towan Beach in 2011 following the fire, showing the Penhallow Hotel in the centre of the image having been destroyed, and the beach in 2016, showing the new apartments built on the site of the hotel

On the night of 18 August 2007, shortly after midnight a power cut was reported followed shortly by the fire alarm activating and soon smoke was seen in the building. It is believed that the fire started in the hotel's drink bar store and then spread throughout the building.[7] A 999 call was made to Cornwall Fire Brigade's fire control at 00:17 and appliances from Newquay were mobilised. Around 4 minutes later, when the first crews arrived on scene, it was reported that the building was well alight and further crews were requested. At the peak of the blaze 100 firefighters were fighting flames that were 30 feet (9.1 m) high.[8]

Some guests woke to the sound of the fire alarm sounding with no immediate signs of smoke or fire.[9] Others reported that the fire alarm could not be heard on the third floor of the hotel, and being hampered in evacuation due to suitcases and obstacles being left in the hallways. Witnesses and guests also spoke of short comings by fire officials as the fire brigade arrived without a ladder long enough to reach the victims on the third floor. A guest spoke of how upon viewing the engine; "I could see no ladder on the fire engine. There was just an engine with a hose."[10]

Over 90 guests and members of staff managed to escape, but three people were killed in the fire. Guest Peter Hughes (a science teacher aged 43 from Staffordshire) died as a result of falling from a second floor window. Hughes' mother Monica (aged 86) also died in the blaze, along with 80-year-old Joan Harper, who was also from Staffordshire.[10]

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) was criticised on how the incident was handled. It was reported that only one fire appliance could be mobilised from Newquay due to a shortage of crew, one appliance was sent and backup was drawn in from surrounding stations, however as previously stated the fire had taken hold by the time of arrival of the first crew. It was found that the shortcoming of appliances did not result in the three deaths. However CFRS upgraded Newquay fire station to 24-hour cover during the summer months when the population rises from an estimated 24,000 to at least 100,000.

At the inquest it was discovered that other factors were seen in the case against the owners of the hotel. Factors for the fire and the poor response were poor fire risk assessment, poor access, lack of water, lack of equipment (high rise ladder) and the FRS (Fire and Rescue Service) being sent to the wrong address.[11]

In 2007, Devon and Cornwall Police stated they would treat the fire as a "major crime" until they found evidence to the contrary.[12] In January 2008, police announced that the fire was being treated as suspicious, and that the deaths were now therefore potential cases of murder.[13]

At the inquest into the deaths in 2009, the coroner, Dr. Emma Carylon found there was insufficient evidence to determine that the victims were unlawfully killed,[8] and recorded an open verdict.[14] In 2010, Cornwall Council and Cornwall fire service brought a civil suit against the owners of Penhallow Hotel and individual staff members for health and safety violations. The owners, O & C Holdsworth Ltd, admitted to two of the charges and were fined £80,000 and ordered to pay £62,000 in costs.[8]

• List of building or structure fires

• "Families appeal over hotel fire". BBC News. 18 August 2008. Retrieved 21 December 2011.
• "Contradicting evidence heard at ongoing Penhallow Hotel inquest". Plymouth Herald. 2 June 2009. Retrieved 24 December 2011.
• "Fatal hotel fire team's new leads". BBC News. 21 February 2008. Retrieved 25 December 2011.
• "Penhallow Hotel fire memorial stone unveiled". BBC News. 12 July 2010. Retrieved 25 December 2011.