A fire broke out recently in a derelict hotel in Newquay that was being occupied by squatters.
The fire on the 14th December took hold in the rear of the former Pendennis Hotel on Mount Wise, and was tackled by 55 firefighters from across Cornwall.
Twelve people from a nearby building were evacuated due to fears about the smoke, and were put up in a neighbouring hotel.
Police are treating the incident as suspicious.
Squatting fire risk
Squatting is believed to be a major problem in the town, with homeless people taking shelter in various derelict hotels. Devon and Cornwall Police undertook a study on the night of December 7 to attempt to ascertain the scale of homelessness in the town, and throughout the night found only three people sleeping rough.
The property involved in this particular fire – believed to be the third such fire this year involving squatters – had a notice claiming squatters rights in the window.
Newquay’s mayor has since called for owners of empty properties in the town to take greater responsibility for securing their buildings both from the dangers of fire, and from squatters.
Mayor Andy Hannan, speaking to the BBC, said: "There should be more regular checks on these properties to make sure they are secure.”
Newquay fire station watch manager Sean Taylor, also speaking to the BBC, said, "Ultimately these properties are death traps, not only for the people staying there but also if we had to attend an incident, where firefighters have to go in and rescue people.
"There can be holes in the floors and ceilings. If you're walking through there and you don't know your way around you could fall three, maybe four storeys."
