Firefighters work all night to bring large fire at derelict hotel under control

Fire crews have worked overnight to to bring a “well alight” fire at a derelict hotel in Pentire, Newquay under control.

Cornwall Fire and Rescue service were called to the empty and derelict Hotel California in Pentire overlooking the River Gannel at 3.56pm yesterday afternoon (June 30). The hotel in Penmere Drive has been empty since it closed three years ago.

Ten fire appliances along with breathing apparatus support, two water carriers, command support, breathing apparatus support and two aerial ladder platforms were fighting the fire at one point.

St Dennis Community Fire Station (Image: St Dennis Community Fire Station)

Devon and Cornwall Police and the fire service warned people to stay away from the area, the police saying: "Emergency services are currently dealing with a large fire at disused Hotel California, Newquay. "Public are requested to stay away from the area whilst the fire is dealt with.”

The fire service said the original call at 3:56pm said that smoke was coming from windows in the building which was three storeys high and measured 50 x 30 metres.

The crews had to fight the fire from the outside as inside the roof had collapsed and the floors were missing floorboards.

(Image: St Dennis Community Fire Station)

The incident was split into four sectors, with 12 breathing apparatus, six jets and one hose reel jets in use at 6:51pm. Services to the building were isolated.

By 8:49pm the building was said to be well alight but by 11.59pm the fire service said good progress was being made.

“Firefighters are now focusing on preventing further spread of the fire. Relief crews have been sent to site and the incident is being scaled back to 6 appliances,” it said.

By 6:30am Cornwall Fire and Rescue service said they still remained on the incident ground, however attendance had been scaled back.