Hotel blaze deaths ruling

An open verdict has been recorded on a Cheslyn Hay mother and son who died in the UK's worst hotel fire for 40 years.

But their family are disappointed by the outcome of the inquest. Teacher Peter Hughes, aged 43, died trying to rescue his 86-year-old mother Monica.

Mr Hughes, who was head of physics at Weston Road High School, jumped from the third floor of Newquay's Penhallow Hotel in the early hours of August 18, 2007.

Joan Harper, aged 80, from Stoke-on-Trent, was also killed in the blaze.

A jury yesterday returned an open verdict on the deaths on the guidance of coroner Dr Emma Carlyon following a month-long inquest in Truro, Cornwall.

They were told by a forensics expert that the ignition of material by a naked flame was the most likely cause of the fire, which spread rapidly vertically through a first-floor boiler room.

Speaking after the hearing, John Hughes, who lost both his mother and brother in the fire, said: "The resulting open verdict is somewhat disappointing for both families.

"There is a very high probability the fire was started deliberately but the coroner needs to be 100 per cent sure. However, we understand that this is still an ongoing police inquiry."

A booking error meant Mrs Hughes was put in a room on the third floor instead of the first. The fire, which the jury was told was probably started deliberately, rose straight through her room.

The blaze was so fierce, firefighters could not enter the hotel. More than 100 fought the inferno. Around 90 people escaped.

No-one has been charged in connection with the fire. Police believe it was started by someone with inside knowledge of the hotel.