Man hurt, ‘three missing’ in fire

Mar 20 2008 by Darren Devine, Western Mail

A 45-YEAR-OLD man was last night critically ill in hospital and three others were feared missing following a blaze at a disused hotel.

The three-floor Grange Hotel in Rhyl closed last year, but has since been used by vagrants.

It was yesterday believed the man rescued following the fire on Tuesday evening mumbled there could have been three others inside.

But firefighters were unable to establish whether anyone else was in the building, as it is structurally unsafe.

Search and rescue teams joined the investigation from South and Mid Wales and a further probe could be carried out today.

Inquiries by police and fire experts will also focus on how the blaze, fought by more than 80 firefighters, started in the 28-bedroom building.

One fireman from Prestatyn received hospital treatment for superficial burns.

A North Wales Fire Service spokesman said yesterday, “At this stage, due to the severity of the fire and the unsafe condition of the building, it cannot be confirmed whether there are any other people in the property.”

Last week a North Wales Police sergeant warned on the force website that the building had become unsafe and was being occupied by vagrants using candles.

In his blog the sergeant said the premises were secure and regular patrols had been set up to ensure they remained that way.