PENHALLOW FIRE 'A CALLOUS ACT' - ROGERSON

1.51.00pm GMT Tue 22nd Jan 2008

The Penhallow Hotel before the fire

Responding to news that last year's blaze at Penhallow Hotel in Newquay was set deliberately, the town's MP, Dan Rogerson said: "I am sure this news will be a further hammer blow for the families who lost loved ones in this horrendous incident."

"As I spoke to firefighters on the scene, and in the ensuing days, they made it clear that they found it very suspicious that the fire had spread so quickly.

"Everyone in Newquay, and across Cornwall, will doubtless be shocked that anyone could pursue such a callous act, with such devastating consequences.

"The police will now need the utmost support in undertaking a thorough murder inquiry. Anyone who has any evidence at all - however minor it may seem - should come forward with it.

"I trust the Devon and Cornwall constabulary will leave no stone unturned in seeking out the perpetrator of this deadly attack on a hotel full of entirely innocent people."