Still no justice for victims of hotel blaze three years on
0 Comments | Cornish Guardian; Truro (UK), Jul 21, 2010 | by STEVE CRESWELL
POLICE are no closer to bringing justice to the relatives of those killed in the Penhallow Hotel fire, as the third anniversary of the tragedy approaches.
Just a week after a permanent memorial to those who perished in the fire was unveiled in Newquay, police have confirmed there are no fresh lines of inquiry currently being pursued.
Detective Chief Inspector Bob Harrison, senior investigating officer, said it was “unfortunate” that the relatives of Peter Hughes, 43, his mother, Monica, 86, and Joan Harper, 80 had not yet had any closure.
The three were killed after flames engulfed the 54-bedroom hotel on August 18, 2007. More than 90 people managed to escape as 130 firefighters struggled, and ultimately failed, to prevent the building from being reduced to ash and rubble.
DCI Harrison said: “As with any major investigation, especially those involving the tragic death of an individual, the prime force driving the investigation is to find the truth as to what happened and to provide the families involved with an understanding of the circumstances surround the death of their family member.
“While it may not be possible to establish every detail in this case, due to the extremely difficult circumstances around the complex scene, the families are fully aware of all of the police investigation, to date.
“It is very unfortunate, at this time, that all of those involved – the families of the deceased, other guests in the hotel, employees and the wider community – have not been afforded the opportunity of knowing the case has been finally concluded.”
DCI Harrison said the 18-day inquest in May and June last year had not thrown up any fresh leads but confirmed the incident was still being classified as a murder investigation “based on the evidence of expert witnesses surrounding the cause of the fire”.
He said: “Following the inquest, all the evidence given has been fully reviewed, with the assistance of the Crown Prosecution Service and HM Coroner. The file has been subject of a full review and all new lines of enquiry continue to be fully investigated.
“A major incident room remains at Bodmin Police Station and the families continue to be appraised of any new lines of enquiry. The police and fire service are still working closely together on this investigation.”
He also confirmed there were “no charges likely to be brought by the police at this moment in time” but added that the case was being continually reviewed.
Last year’s inquest concluded that the cause of the fire was still unclear and recorded an open verdict.
Four people who had been held on suspicion of murder were later released without charge.
It was also revealed that the hotel was not compliant with a Fire Safety Order of 2005, particularly regarding its requirements for smoke detectors in all bedrooms.
At the time, John Hughes, brother of victim Peter, said he believed all three lives could have been saved if smoke detectors had been installed in their rooms.
A spokeswoman for Holdsworth Holdings, the hotel’s owner, told the Cornish Guardian on Monday that she was “unaware” of any private prosecutions against the company from relatives of the victims.