More than 50 firefighters were involved in the battle to win control of a blaze that forced the evacuation of a landmark historic hotel, it has been revealed.

As reaction begins to come in and as the damage to the Grade II listed Pier House Hotel in historic Charlestown Harbour is assessed, Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service has said that at the height of the blaze on Friday night, eight appliances, one aerial ladder platform, an operational support vehicle, an Incident Command Unit and two light vehicles were at the scene, with a total crew of 54.

Crews from St Austell, Fowey, St Dennis, Launceston, Bodmin, Truro, St Columb, Wadebridge, St Mawes and Liskeard fought the fire.

All guests and staff were safely evacuated after the alarm was raised at about 6.30pm on Friday evening.

One appliance stayed at the Pier House this morning, assisting owners St Austell Brewery and monitoring hot spots.

Two officers were carrying out a preliminary investigation to establish the cause of the fire.

There has been praise for the efforts of the hotel's staff and the emergency services.

Local Cornwall Councillor James Mustoe said: "I was very sorry to hear of the fire at the iconic Pier House in Charlestown on Friday evening.

"I spoke with management at St Austell Brewery and local residents and staff on the evening and all praised our fire service, who came from across Cornwall to get the fire under control and put it out.

"My thanks to the staff at the Pier House, who I understand acted with the utmost professionalism in evacuating the building quickly and safely, and the fire service for their swift action in containing a fire that could have been a lot worse."