Inquiry into hotel blaze continues

Police officers have been carrying out door-to-door inquiries in Kinross-shire in a bid to catch those responsible for the inferno that engulfed a derelict hotel. A large part of the Gartwhinzean Hotel, near Powmill, was destroyed in the furious blaze that took hold a week ago.

POLICE OFFICERS have been carrying out door-to-door inquiries in Kinross-shire in a bid to catch those responsible for the inferno that engulfed a derelict hotel.

A large part of the Gartwhinzean Hotel, near Powmill, was destroyed in the furious blaze that took hold a week ago.

Tayside Fire and Rescue said electrical and gas supplies had long since been cut off to the property, leading investigators to swiftly conclude that the fire was “suspicious”.

Fire investigators have been joined by officers from Tayside Police who hope the information they need is within the community.

While investigators are keeping an open mind, it is known that undesirable elements have congregated within the property over the five years since the hotel’s closure.

Parts of the deteriorating, 22-bedroom hotel had been vandalised and video footage of its graffiti-daubed interior had been posted onyoutube.

Tayside Police believe residents of the Powmill community may have knowledge of the individuals who frequented the hotel building.

They are also hopeful that there may yet be residents who have seen “suspicious” behaviour in the vicinity of the hotel and who may not yet have spoken to officers.

A spokeswoman for Tayside Police said: “Officers have been carrying out houseto-house inquiries and speaking to local people.

“Our inquiries are ongoing and we are still looking for further information.

“We are following some positive lines of inquiry.”

Flames spread quickly through the building earlier this month despite the efforts of the 25 firefighters called to the scene at around 5am on Monday March 5.

Crews attended from Kinross, Auchterarder and Perth but it took them the entire day to bring the fire under control.

The doors and windows had been boarded up, making it diff icult for firefighters to tackle the heart of the fire, while the building’s age and construction helped flames race throughout the structure.

Anyone who has any information that could assist officers in their inquiries is asked to contact Tayside Police on 0300 1112222.

Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555111

“Officers have been carrying out house-to-house inquiries and speaking to local people”

Police spokeswoman

Gutted: the scene of the blaze at the derelict hotel.