Hunt for hotel arsonist

The second fire was at a seafront hotel in Blackpool

Detectives hunting an arsonist responsible for fires at two seaside hotels have named a man they want to question.

Police want to interview Kenneth John Freeman, aged 24, from Telford in Shropshire, in connection with the fires in Blackpool, Lancashire.

It follows two major fires at Blackpool hotels during the holiday season.

Lancashire Police said they were working with colleagues from the West Mercia force to trace Mr Freeman in connection with a total three fires.

Seafront hotel

The first happened in a flat in the Oakengates area of Telford on 25 April.

The second was at the seafront Tiffany's Hotel in Blackpool on the Promenade.

Police said a man who had been staying at the hotel for seven days returned to his room on the morning of 19 May.

They believe he removed the smoke alarm and sprayed accelerants before setting the room on fire.

Guests evacuated

A chambermaid found the fire and 150 residents and 15 staff were led from the building.

The hotel suffered £4,000 worth of damage in the fire.

The third fire was at the Homecliffe Hotel on Wilton Parade in the resort on 14 July.

Again, a man who had been staying at the hotel returned to his room, removed the smoke alarm and set a fire.

Damage caused

As a result 30 guests were led from the hotel and £5,000 of damage caused.

Detective Inspector Pat Gill of Lancashire Police said: "We are treating these offences very seriously indeed.

"Many lives could have been lost."

Local hoteliers have been alerted about the recent fires although police admit they do not know if the person responsible is still in the Blackpool area.

Police describe Mr Freeman as 5 ft 7 in tall, slim build, with hazel eyes, ginger brown collar length hair and a straggly beard.