BLAZE LATEST: Inferno cause probe

FIRE chiefs probing the second major blaze at Sidmouth’s Fortfield Hotel have labelled its cause as “suspicious”.

Investigators were still at the scene last night and today (Saturday, January 29).

Detectives are still hunting culprits who caused a fire at the derelict site on December 30.

Watch Commander Andy Revesz told the Herald at the scene last night the cause of Friday’s blaze was “suspicious.”

He said flames broke out on the top floor at around 6.50pm, engulfed the roof and spread to lower parts of the building.

A fire in another part of the premises in December also started on its top floor.

Firefighters worked through the night and were still at the scene this morning.

Around ten crews and more than 75 firefighters raced to the Fortfield following reports of the second major fire at the premises in just over a month.

“We were able to implement a good plan to deal affectively and safely with this incident,” said Commander Revesz.

Roads around and along Sidmouth seafront were shut as fire crews again pumped water from the River Sid.