Yorkshire firefighters have found a body following a serious fire at the Majestic hotel in Harrogate.
Around 24 staff and 130 guests were evacuated after fire alarms went off at 5am yesterday morning. The identity of the victim, who was found on the fifth floor of the hotel, has not yet been confirmed but is believed to be a member of the hotel’s staff.
At an earlier press conference at nearby Cairns Hotel, which has also taken in guests following their evacuation, North Yorkshire police superintendent, Ken McIntosh, said: “At this stage the cause of the fire is not known and a full examination of the scene will be carried out by fire investigators and police. It is too early to say if there are any suspicious circumstances.
“There is one person, a member of hotel staff, unaccounted for; enquiries are currently ongoing to locate the man. Until it is safe to enter the building and the area of the fire, we will not be in a position to confirm any casualties.
Around 90 firefighters attended the blaze at its height, using 16 appliances and three special aerial appliances.
A joint police and fire investigation is to take place.
