Guests flee to safety as fire engulfs hotel
AN investigation is under way after a large hotel fire.
Forty-seven guests and a number of staff fled to safety as flames ripped through the hotel.
The first floor of the Gateway to Wales Hotel, on Deeside in Flintshire, has been destroyed after a blaze began in the early hours of Monday morning.
Fire chiefs said that 80% of the ground floor was severely damaged.
Emergency services were called at about 4.30am yesterday and seven fire engines and four ambulances rushed to the scene in Welsh Road.
Most of the guests had already managed to escape before crews from North Wales Fire and Rescue Service arrived.
Stacey Roberts, 26, was staying in the hotel with her six-month-old son and partner when they were jolted awake by the fire alarm.
She said: “The alarm stopped and then started again. No member of staff was seen, no sprinklers went off – if it wasn’t for a gentleman shouting through the corridors ‘Fire, fire’ ... I dread to think. We’re all traumatised.
“We’re homeless and that’s where Flintshire County Council placed us. We booked in on Saturday night, so now we’re sitting with friends and family until the council office opens.
“The Gateway To Wales was our home. It’s just awful.”
Stuart Millington, senior operations manager at the fire service, said: “Crews attended very quickly and in numbers as the fire was very well developed by the time we arrived. At the height of the fire there was approximately 60 people (firefighters) on the scene.
“The cause of the fire is still under investigation and will take place with our colleagues from the police.
“Our fire investigators are speaking to local residents and to people in the building. The building is quite badly damaged and therefore their ability to get in and take their investigation safely will take some time.
“The early operation of the fire alarm system is what gave the early warning to allow people to make their escape... so that’s clearly testament to the value of a properly functioning smoke alarm and fire alarm system.”