Property fire

Three fire engines and an aerial platform ladder, were initially sent to a report of a fire, within the kitchen of a hotel in Torquay.

On arrival crews confirmed that not all persons had evacuated or been accounted for, so a further fire engine was sent. Shortly after this crews requested further personnel for assistance, so another 2 fire engines and a command support unit were sent. Crews were using breathing apparatus, to assist in the evacuation of residents. A further request for assistance was requested, which resulted in a further 4 fire engines being mobilised (10 in total).

This was a fire in the kitchen area of the hotel, which was heavily smoke logged on the ground and first floor. There were at least 8 rooms that still needed to be checked for occupants. Up to 8 firefighters using breathing apparatus were searching the remaining rooms. By 0051 hours it was confirmed that all persons had been accounted for. Crews are still in attendance with Police and Ambulance and are assisting in re-homing the occupants. Crews have extinguished the fire and are currently damping down hotspots and the number of fire engines in attendance is being reduced. 4 occupants were escorted out by fire crews using ladders.

UPDATE 04:30 HRS

This incident is being reduced to two fire engines and the cause of the fire is currently being investigated. All guests have been moved to alternative accommodation.

The fire is now out. The kitchen was 100 per cent damaged by fire and the dining area 100 per cent smoke damaged. The remainder of the hotel was slightly smoke damaged. The fire was extinguished using:

• 8 breathing apparatus
• 2 hose reel jets
• 4 main jets
• 4 thermal image cameras
• smoke curtain
• ladders
• small tools