Probe after hotel gutted by blaze

An investigation is to be launched into a fire which gutted a hotel whose guests included Blur guitarist Graham Coxon.

Three people staying at the 120-bedroom Best Western Falmouth Beach Hotel in Cornwall were initially "unaccounted for" but police later said they had been located.

Firefighters said the blaze, which was tackled by more than 100 firefighters at its peak, started at the rear of the property in Cliff Road and was whipped up by gale-force winds.

Urgent efforts were made to account for guests, many of whom were out on day trips at the time.

Guitarist Coxon, who was in Falmouth for a concert as part of a solo tour, tweeted a picture of the blazing hotel and told how he had to leave after the fire started.

"We watched it... We had to leave the foyer and then watch it get worse and worse... rather sad," he told a follower.

A Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "The scene is still being monitored, the crew are monitoring hot spots and damping down. A fire investigation will be taking place later this morning."

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said they did not think there were any suspicious circumstances surrounding the blaze, although the investigation continues.

"A joint police and fire service investigation is being carried out into the incident," he said. "Whilst both services are keeping an open mind, there does not appear to be any suspicious circumstance at this time.

"It appears that the three people previously thought to be unaccounted for have now been located, together with all other residents and staff. However, police and fire services are still ascertaining as to whether any non-residents may not have come forward."