Fire site hydrants were 'clogged'

The council is now looking at improved hydrant checking systems

Fire hydrants near a fatal hotel blaze in Cornwall were clogged with silt and alternatives had to be found, the county fire brigade has said.

Crews also had to remove a car parked on top of a hydrant at the Penhallow Hotel fire in Newquay on 18 August.

Cornwall County Council said the hydrants were inspected earlier in the year by their contractor, WS Atkins.

A council spokeswoman said: "We do have concerns that they have silted up in such a short period of time."

They are now looking at a new and improved checking system.

WS Atkins is required to inspect hydrants every two years, to make sure they open and are accessible, and clear any obvious defects such as silt.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation

The council spokeswoman said WS Atkins was not contractually required to wet test hydrants and wet testing went against national guidance.

Chief Fire Officer Matt Littmoden said: "You wouldn't expect it to silt up in that period of time.

"We will have to look at is how to enhance the inspection regime. We have got to expedite that now."

WS Atkins said they could not comment further because of client confidentiality.

Cause investigated

Three people died in the fire on 18 August, two are still unidentified.

Police and fire officers have finished their examination at the rubble of the hotel and are handing over responsibility for the building to the local authority.

The cause of the blaze is still being investigated.

Following the fire, BBC Radio Cornwall and BBC Spotlight are holding in-depth debates, looking at the future of emergency fire cover in Cornwall, on Thursday.