80 evacuated as fire strikes major Telford hotel

More than 80 people were evacuated from a major hotel in Shropshire after an outbuilding containing more than 20 gas canisters caught fire, sparking fears of an explosion.

Fire chiefs believe the blaze in a large shed outside at the Park Inn Hotel in Telford town centre could have been started deliberately and say the circumstances are 'extremely suspicious'.

Officers said the quickthinking actions of hotel staff, who noticed the blaze within minutes of it starting, averted what could have been a major incident.

Eleven firefighters managed to bring the blaze, which started in the outbuilding at about 10pm on Saturday, under control after two hours.

Guy Williams, investigating officer for Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, today said they believed the blaze was "extremely suspicious".

He said: "The staff at the Park Inn had to evacuate 75 guests and six members of staff, which they carried out very effectively.

"The staff discovered the fire very quickly. They were able to raise the automatic alarm so we had water on the fire within four or five minutes of it starting, which made all the difference."

He said two crews were sent to the incident and managed to stop the fire spreading to the main hotel building.

"When they got there they found a building attached to the side of the building, about 10 metres by 10 metres, containing 20 gas canisters, fully involved in fire."

Mr Williams said that there could have been a "significant risk to life" had the fire not been brought under control so quickly.

The canisters which were being stored in the building were for use in the hotel bar.

"Please make sure that if you have commercial premises you secure what you can," added Mr Williams.

The canisters were removed to a safe position to cool down. Nobody from the hotel in Forgegate wanted to comment on the blaze.