Firefighters have been praised for their rapid response to a blaze after guests were evacuated from a hotel in Charlestown's historic harbour on Friday evening.

The alarm was raised at abut 6.30pm after flames were seen at the Pier House Hotel.

Within six minutes Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service had mobilised two crews from St Austell and an officer.

The crews immediately asked for more help when they arrived in Charlestown and appliances from Fowey, St Dennis, Bodmin, Wadebridge and St Columb were sent to the scene.

CFRS control also sent the aerial ladder platform from Truro and the incident command unit from Launceston.

The firefighters said the fire started at the rear of the building. Crews were fighting the flames with breathing apparatus and hose jets in use.

All staff and guests were safely evacuated.

Kevin Georgel, chief executive of St Austell Brewery, which owns the hotel, has praised the rapid response of 999 services, and the staff at the Pier House.

He said the fire was caused by an electrical fault and the damage was being assessed.

In a post on Facebook, Mr Georgel said: “We’d like to say a huge thank you to Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service for attending the scene so quickly and for bringing the fire under control. We will be surveying the damage in the days ahead and will be in touch with any customers who have made bookings with us.”

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service have remained on the scene.

The late 18th century hotel is Grade II listed and a landmark site in the historic harbour, which has been used as a location for many film and TV productions. The movie The Eagle Has Landed famously used the Pier House as a location.