ARSON is suspected following a fire at a derelict hotel in Newquay on Monday afternoon. (September 23)

Appliances from Newquay, St Columb and Perranporth attended the blaze at the former Narrowcliff Hotel on Narrowcliff at 12.53pm.

Newquay Community Fire Station crew manager Richard Clemo believes it was “lucky” the crews caught the fire before it escalated.

Crews used a triple extension ladder along with breathing apparatus, a main jet and thermal imaging camera to extinguish the fire.

Firefighters discovered the blaze was caused deliberately and the incident has been passed to Devon and Cornwall Police to investigate.

Mr Clemo said: “There was a small fire which was started at the rear of the building.

“Crews worked tirelessly to gain entrance to the building and managed to put the fire out before it escalated.

“The fire was started deliberately, and the incident has been passed to the police.

“The fire could have been a lot worse than it was. It was helped by the fact that the hotel was empty though there were signs people have been in the building.

“It was lucky the fire was put out in time.”

A spokesperson for Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said: “Appliances from Newquay, St Columb and Perranporth attended a call to reports of smoke coming from the rear and side of a hotel in Newquay.

“Crews confirmed smoke was issuing on their arrival. Firefighters located a fire on the second floor of the hotel.

“A triple extension ladder along with breathing apparatus, a main jet and thermal imaging camera to extinguish the fire.

“Cause of the fire was doubtful and incident details have been passed to police.”