ONE MISSING IN SEASIDE HOTEL BLAZE
ONE person is missing and five people were taken to hospital after a major fire at a seafront hotel.
Three children and nine adults were evacuated from the Ty Belgrave House hotel on Aberystwyth promenade after a serious fire broke out in the early hours of yesterday.
Fire crews were called just after 2.20am.
A spokeswoman for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “Attending crews were met with a well-developed fire and rescued nine adults and three children from the affected property.
“Five persons have been taken to hospital by ambulance as a precaution.
“At present one person remains unaccounted for.”
A witnesses has reported seeing hotel guests, including children, being rescued from a balcony.
The fire spread to adjoining properties and the fire service yesterday worked hard to prevent further fire damage.
Residents from these neighbouring properties were also evacuated to alternative accommodation.
Flames and smoke could be seen from across the seaside town, which is always busy at this time of the year.
A group of Austrian tourists were among those evacuated from the next-door Belle Vue hotel.
Their guide, Darko Cvetkovic, who works for Mainline, said they were woken by the fire alarms in the early hours.
He said: “We looked out and could see lots of smoke so got out fast.
“There were lots of people with no shoes on and still in their pyjamas.
“I had managed to park the coach near the hotel, so I got some of the guests on to the coach so people could keep warm.
“Then we got the news that we could go to the Aberystwyth Park Lodge hotel.
“They have given us tea and coffee and let us stay here until we can get back to our hotel.
“The people on our tour came out with nothing and all their clothes and passports are back in their rooms.
“People have been fantastic looking after us.”
The hotel’s owner, Emyr Davies, has told the BBC that the fire alarm system was “full and operational” and “seems to have worked as designed and alerted the residents” to the fire.
He added some people were forced to leave the building via the fire escape and said those who got out “suffered no serious injuries” but had had a “frightening experience”.
British Red Cross volunteers have been supporting people affected by the fire at the hotel.
Volunteers are providing practical and emotional support at another hotel in the town to those affected by the fire and an agreement with Tesco has been activated so that toiletries and clothing can be provided.
The Red Cross is also helping people to return to Ty Belgrave House to collect belongings from the hotel now that the fire service has deemed the property safe.
British Red Cross emergency response operations manager for Wales Rob Donovan said: “So far our volunteers have supported 33 people affected by the fire at Ty Belgrave House and that support is ongoing.
“We are working closely with Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Dyfed-Powys Police and Ceredigion County Council and will remain active in the area for as long as required.
“Our volunteers are very experienced in providing practical and emotional support to those affected by emergencies of this kind and we have volunteers on standby should those affected require support beyond Wednesday.”
Last night a spokeswoman for Mid and West Fire Service said crews had been looking at structural damage.
Guests at the hotel were also allowed back to collect belongings.