Police mark hotel blaze one year on

12 April 2012

Detectives investigating one of Britain's worst ever hotel fires are due to hold a news conference to mark the first anniversary of the tragedy.

The fatal fire at the Penhallow Hotel in Newquay, Cornwall, claimed the lives of Joan Harper, 80, Peter Hughes, 43, and his mother Monica, 86.

Mr Hughes, a teacher from Cheslyn Hay, Staffordshire, jumped from the third floor of the 54-bedroom hotel after trying in vain to save his mother.

Before leaping, he shouted: "I can't move my mum" and "I can't breathe, I can't breathe."

Ms Harper, of Stoke-on-Trent, was also trapped, while her twin sister, Marjorie Brys, was one of more than 90 people who escaped.

A murder investigation was announced by police who said they believed the fire, which ripped through the building in the early hours of Saturday, August 18 2007, was started deliberately.

During the investigation detectives have analysed more than 3,500 documents including 850 statements.

Four people have been arrested in connection with the fire.

They include the hotel's former general manager Andy Woollam, 42, and his wife Sarah, 36, who were arrested and released on bail to return on September 2.

Two men, who have not been identified, were also arrested and released on police bail to return on the same date.

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