Blaze reduces four-star Torbay hotel to blackened shell in possible arson attack

A Devon and Somerset fire service spokesman said: "On arrival the building was well alight, with all three floors involved in fire and additional crews were mobilised to assist. In total, six fire engines, two aerial ladder platforms, a water carrier, a welfare unit, and an incident command unit were used on site. Crews used two hose reel jets, two main jets, a thermal imaging camera, a triple extension ladder and a drone to tackle the fire. At 3.44am the incident response was scaled back and by 5am the fire was extinguished."

Seventy per cent of the building was destroyed by fire. The cause is being investigated by the fire service and Devon and Cornwall Police. The fire may have been started deliberately.