Cornwall fire resources criticised

The owners of a guest house close to the Newquay hotel destroyed by fire say a lack of resources led to casualties.

The Penhallow Hotel in Newquay, Cornwall, was engulfed by fire and a 43-year-old man died after jumping from the second or third floor to escape the flames.

Four people remain in hospital and one is in a critical condition.

It has emerged the fire service aerial platform had to travel 50 miles from Plymouth to the blaze as the two based in Cornwall were being repaired.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) also said they were concerned about the levels of cover for the resort and revealed cuts in the service meant there were not enough firefighters to man a second pump when the fire broke out.

Bed and breakfast owners in the street directly behind the Penhallow said they would expect full-time cover during the busy holiday season.

Jan Howard, who owns the Pengilley guest house, said: "We were waiting and waiting for the platform to arrive.

"I think there would have definitely been fewer casualties if they had been here quicker.

"The firefighters do a wonderful job, but they can't help it if there are cuts in resources.

"It is very worrying for people in this business."

A B&B owner, who asked not to be named, added: "You can do all you can to take precautions against a fire, but if there is one you want the support to be there.

"Time can make all the difference, extra minutes can cost lives.

"Not only that, but if people die there is not only the tragedy for them but also the firefighters must feel dreadful."

Glyn Brown, of the Trevellis bed and breakfast, said: "It is concerning. You would expect the turntable ladder to be here in 15 to 20 minutes, not come all the way from Plymouth."

The Fire Brigades Union said lessons had to be learnt from the Penhallow fire.

General secretary Matt Wrack said there was insufficient night-time cover when the emergency call was made.

He also blamed cost-cutting for the lack of aerial appliances in Cornwall.

He said: "We know that the only two aerial appliances in Cornwall were out of action and an appliance had to come 50 miles from Devon.

"The FBU has heard reports for three years that the numbers of aerial appliances were being cut back across the UK because of cost.

"We have also been concerned at cuts in night cover, there were not enough crews in the area to man the second pump; it is dangerous not to have sufficient night-time cover."

No one from Cornwall Fire Brigade was available for comment.

Two people are still unaccounted for and four are in hospital.

Three are in a stable condition and one elderly person, believed to be in their 70s or 80s, is critical and stable.

© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.