No charges for four over hotel fire

Four people arrested in connection with the Penhallow Hotel fire in Cornwall last year that killed three guests from Staffordshire will not face charges, Devon and Cornwall Police said today.

Peter Hughes, aged 43, a teacher at Stafford's Weston Road High School, and his mother Monica, 86, both of Cheslyn Hay, died alongside Joan Harper, 80, from Stoke-on-Trent, as the Penhallow Hotel in Cornwall went up in flames following an arson attack.

More than 100 firefighters fought the blaze which started just after midnight. About 90 people escaped.

A murder inquiry was launched in January when a police investigation concluded the fire was started deliberately with a naked flame.

Three men and a woman were arrested and questioned but the fire destroyed much of the evidence.

Senior detectives and lawyers have now decided no charges should be brought.

Mr Hughes, head of physics at Weston Road, died after jumping from the third floor of the burning hotel in the early hours of August 18.

Detective Chief Inspector Darren Lockley, the senior investigating officer, said: "Today especially our thoughts are with the families of Peter and Monica Hughes and Joan Harper.

"They are still trying to come to terms with the loss of their loved ones, but this will always be difficult without knowing exactly why this tragedy happened."