Two arrested as firefighters called to deal with huge fire at hotel, one woman taken to hospital
Tuesday 6 July 2010 01:48
Two men have been arrested after more than 50 firefighters were called to deal with a huge blaze at a hotel in Northamptonshire, with dozens of guests transported to nearby hotels and one woman taken to hospital in need of insulin.
Firefighters from eight crews responded to the blaze at the Premier Inn hotel, based at The Green Man pub in Brackley Hatch, at about 9.40pm on Monday.
A spokesman for Northants Fire & Rescue Service said 50 firefighters and 10 fire officers were at the scene at the height of the fire.
The cause of the fire has yet to be established and fire service investigators are at the scene this morning.
It appears that linen in plastic crates outside of the main hotel building caught fire.
The two men - a 36-year-old man from Coventry and a 20-year-old man from Leicester - have been arrested on suspicion of arson and are presently in custody at Weston Favell police station in Northampton.
Det Insp Andy Glenn, of Northamptonshire West CID, said: "We are keeping an open mind as to the cause of the fire and should have more information later today.
"This fire is an isolated incident. There have been no similar fires reported in the area and there is no suggestion that there is any link to the British Grand Prix."
Crews from across Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire attended the fire, with an aerial appliance and incident support unit providing back-up to the eight fire engines.
Red Cross fire and emergency support volunteers were deployed to support hotel guests after the fire broke out.
Three volunteers were called out at 11:40pm. Guests were then evacuated to the Premier Inn's sister hotel in Harpole.
The volunteers, who are still helping people this morning, worked through the night to provide practical and emotional support to 55 hotel guests and offered welfare support to the emergency services.
Edith Wesley, senior service manager in Northamptonshire, said: "Our volunteers were very quick to respond to a serious situation. They've worked tirelessly to support people by providing blankets, clothing (donated by Tesco), advice and helping to keep people informed about the situation, which has been key.
"One lady desperately needed insulin for her condition so we transported her to the nearest hospital."
The hotel was due to play home to hundreds of motorsports fans arriving in the county ahead of the British Grand Prix at nearby Silverstone this weekend. |
