EYEWITNESSES have described the huge blaze that erupted at a derelict hotel in Newquay.

Appliances from Newquay, Perranporth, St Dennis, Tolvaddon, and Mevagissey attended a fire at the former Narrowcliff Hotel at about 3.30am. Two aerial ladder platforms from Newquay and Truro also attended the scene.

Crews are using a main jet and hose reel jets to extinguish the fire. Police have closed the road between the Premier Inn to Narrowcliff.

Cornwall Fire and Rescue stated at 6.25am that they are making “good progress.”

Firefighters had the blaze under control before 9am. An arial ladder platform was being used to extinguish any parts of the building that were still burning.

Eyewitness Robbie Dyer said: “I woke up around 4am and I could smell a faint woodsmoke in my bedroom.

“I had done a barbecue that evening so put it down to charcoal smoke on my clothing. However the smell seemed to get stronger and I could see reflections of blue lights on the ceiling. I live in the Rocklands building and I got up and looked out towards Barrowfields.

“There was a haze of smoke punctured by blight lights. I didn't have my contact lenses in but I would make out it was likely one of the old hotels at the end of the road. My window was ajar so I closed it and went to the front of the apartment to the balcony.

“I took my phone and filmed around a minute. The hotel was very well ablaze and you could hear the pop and crackle as things ignited. I posted on social media so people could avoid the area in the morning and went back to bed.

“The smell of smoke was still strong in the room and I woke up later with a sore throat. Around 8.30am I filmed again and the fire had been put out but a crew on an aerial platform with a hose was directing water down into the building on any remaining embers.”

Eyewitness Rhett Imrie added: “ I was walking home at about 4am and I noticed a toxic feeling to the air.

“Near to the fire a road closure was in in place and appliances were already in full swing. The Narrowcliff Hotel was on fire again on the top floor. Fire personnel were very calm and very well organised.

“By 5.30am the fire was more under control but still burning. There was a risk of asbestos exposure from the smoke apparently.

“It was all very surreal. I think it was just the time had a huge factor. During peak times the incident would had been a different story. The Narrowcliff surgery car park is full and at this time they could access all areas to deal with the blaze.”

A spokesperson for Cornwall Fire and Rescue said: “At this time firefighters are responding to a derelict building fire.

“Pumping appliances from Newquay, Perranporth, St Dennis, Tolvaddon, and Mevagissey, are on scene along with the water carrier from Helston, and two aerial ladder platforms from Newquay and Truro.

“Firefighters are using a main jet and hose reel jets to extinguish the fire. “At 5am firefighters are continuing to extinguish the fire and a further pumping appliance and aerial ladder platform have been requested to attend this incident. At 6.25am good progress is being made as firefighters work to extinguish the fire.

“At 9.20am there are road closures now in place around the incident.”

Videos of the Narrowcliff Hotel fire by Robbie Dyer and Rhett Imrie.