A 63-year-old man has been charged with arson with intent to endanger life following a serious fire at a Devon hotel.
Anthony Westhead, 63, appeared at Barnstable Magistrates Court on 2 June and has been remanded in custody until 17 June, where he is due to appear at Exeter Crown Court.
Firefighters rescued four people from the blaze, at Tantons Hotel, Bideford, on 31 May. The hotel was evacuated of the rest of its guests, 51 in total.
The fire started on the third floor of the four-storey hotel in the early hours of the morning. It spread throughout the building but was under control after about five hours, with crews scaling down at 9 am.
According to Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, 20% of the third floor was severely damaged by fire, heat and smoke. The fire, which spread to the fourth and second floor, caused considerable damage to 20% of the roof space. A total of 10% of the second floor was also damaged by fire, heat and smoke.
