Police get leads after Penhallow fire features on BBC's Crimewatch

Police investigating the fatal fire at Penhallow Hotel in Newquay have some new leads, following a reconstruction on the BBC’s Crimewatch programme.

Joan Harper, Peter Hughes and his mother Monica, of Staffordshire, died in the blaze last August. A further 90 people were forced to evacuate.

The police said they received some “very interesting” calls, including some from past employees, after the programme was aired last night.

Detective Chief Inspector Lockley said: “Some of the calls received as a result of the programme have given us some interesting lines of enquiry. This includes people who called in who have had connections with the hotel in the past.”

Two men were arrested on suspicion of murder last month and released on bail until 9 April.

Lockley added that the person responsible “possibly did not foresee the speed of the fire and how quickly it took hold”.

Arrests made over Newquay hotel fire >> 

Fatal Cornish hotel fire now a murder investigation >>

Fatal Cornish hotel fire now a murder investigation >> 

Search for missing guests begin at Penhallow Hotel in Newquay >>

By Gemma Sharkey

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