FIREFIGHTERS are still battling a blaze at a derelict hotel in Newquay.

Fire crews are extinguishing the blaze at the former Hotel California building in Pentire Crescent, which started shortly before 4pm Sunday.

Ten fire appliances along with breathing apparatus support, two water carriers, command support and two aerial ladder platforms were at the scene at the height of the fire.

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service scaled back the equipment and personnel at the incident overnight but will be in attendance throughout Monday.

The fire is being fought from the exterior of the building following the roof collapsing and missing floorboards. A foto kite drone is being used by firefighters linked to a mobile phone, which has a thermal imaging camera as well as a camera.

Once the fire is extinguished a building inspector will check to see if the derelict hotel is safe to enter before a fire investigation team can go in to determine the cause of the blaze.

A section of Pentire Crescent is still cordoned off but the road leading into Penmere Drive has opened.

A crowd gathered to watch fire crews battle the blaze but police urged people to stay away and for residents to close their windows due to the amount of smoke billowing from the building. People in a neighbouring property were initially evacuated.

Station commander Lee Beresford told the Voice at the scene on Monday morning: “At the height of the fire we had 10 pumps and two aerial ladder platforms.

“Now this has been scaled back and we are down to three appliances, two aerial ladder platforms.

“Areas of the building have been saved but fire has ripped through. We attacked it all night, but the fire kept reigniting.

“The fire took hold very quickly because the building was dry, derelict and it has voids. If the hotel was open, then a fire alarm would have given an early warning and fire doors would have been closed. This is why there is so much damage.

“The building will have to be inspected before its deemed safe to go inside. The roof gave out, and there was a large amount of water put in which hit the red-hot brick work. We can then send in a fire investigation team once it’s been deemed safe to go in.”

A spokesperson for Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said: “Crews have worked overnight to ensure good progress is being made. At 5.35am the incident was down to four fire appliances, two aerial ladder platforms and the Incident Command Unit plus one flexi duty officer. “At 6.30am Cornwall Fire and Rescue service still remain on the incident ground, however attendance has been scaled back. Two aerial ladder platforms, an Incident command unit, welfare unit, along with three major appliances are currently in attendance.”