BBC Local Live: Devon & Cornwall on Monday 31 October 2016

Summary

Fifty firefighters continue to damp down the historic Royal Clarence Hotel following a major blaze
The fire started on Friday in a nearby gallery and spread to the hotel
Demolition equipment is expected to arrive today
In other news, Firefighters tackle large barn fire in United Downs
Two dead in car and van crash on A303
Patients who've had a stroke could now get medication in the ambulance on the way to hospital
Updates on Monday 31 October 2016

Live Reporting

Exeter fire: Every floor of hotel destroyedpublished at 14:43 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2016
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post
Bid to quash Tanis murder conviction suffers major setbackpublished at 14:35 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2016
Plymouth Herald
Moves to overturn the conviction of Donald Pemberton – who was jailed for life following the murder of Tanis Bhandari – were dealt a blow in the Court of Appeal, external today.
Exeter fire: Engineers examine remainspublished at 14:21 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2016
Simon Hall, Home Affairs Correspondent
BBC Spotlight
Engineers from demolition contractor Wring Group arrive at Cathedral Green to examine the remains of the Royal Clarence Hotel.
Home win 'is coming' says Exeter bosspublished at 14:16 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2016
Brent Pilnick
BBC Sport
Exeter City manager Paul Tisdale is confident his side will replicate their away form at St James Park very soon.
Image source, Rex Features
Exeter impressed in a 3-0 win at Morecambe, their fifth away victory of the season, but have not won at home in League Two since April.
"There are a lot of people that want that kind of performance at home, me included, and the players are ready for it, it's coming," Tisdale said.
Barn fire: Teen 'distressed to lose family livelihood'published at 14:04 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2016
Johnny O'Shea
BBC Radio Cornwall
The 18-year-old owner of a fire wood business near Redruth that burnt down overnight says he's very distressed to lose the family livelihood that his dad left to him and his brother only last month.
Firefighters spent several hours tackling the blaze in the barn in United Downs which contained more than £20,000 worth of stock.
Fire crews say they had to deal with intense heat in the blaze because of the amount of firewood involved.
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post
Paignton Hospital staff move ‘does not mean hospital closure is decided’published at 14:00 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2016
Torquay Herald Express
Health chiefs have denied moving Paignton Hospital staff to new offices at Kings Ash is jumping the gun on the hospital's proposed closure., external
Royal Clarence Hotel guest 'woken by raging sound of fire'published at 13:54 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2016
Jonathan Morris
BBC News Online
"What woke me was the raging sound of the fire," said hotel guest Nick Groom describing his escape with wife Annie from the inferno which engulfed the Royal Clarence Hotel.
"We ran down through the hotel shouting 'fire!'
"The fire was on the roof right outside our bedroom window."
Exeter fire-destroyed art gallery thanks emergency servicespublished at 13:42 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2016
Jonathan Morris
BBC News Online
The art gallery, where the fire which destroyed the Royal Clarence Hotel started, has thanked emergency services "for their incredible work over the past few days".
Castle Fine Art Exeter was destroyed in the blaze which started on Friday.
"We will continue working with the authorities during the investigation, as well as our artists, employees, clients and partners, who have been deeply affected by this," said managing director Tara Tomes.
Exeter Chiefs face 'test of character'published at 13:27 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2016
Brent Pilnick
BBC Sport
Exeter head coach Rob Baxter says his side's character faces a major test after Sunday's late defeat by Bath.
The Chiefs lost after a stoppage-time try from Semesa Rokoduguni, their fifth game without a win and the third time they have lost to a late score, leaving last season's runners-up in seventh place in the Premiership.
Image source, Getty Images
"When you look a the table now and the results we've had you can start to set yourselves some new challenges," Baxter told BBC Sport.
"I don't mean we're going to give up on having a good season, but the challenges now are more a test of character."
Exeter fire: More than 30 businesses remain closedpublished at 13:13 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2016
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post
Referee out of hospital after neck injurypublished at 13:02 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2016
Brent Pilnick
BBC Sport
Referee Kevin Johnson has been let out of hospital after being stretchered off with a neck injury during Plymouth's League Two victory over Colchester.
He was kept in hospital overnight in Plymouth suffering from neck ligament damage and blurred vision.
Image source, Rex Features
The game was suspended for 15 minutes following an accidental collision with Argyle striker Jimmy Spencer, and Johnson was replaced by Simon Knapp.
"He won't be refereeing for the next few weeks," an English Football League spokesman told BBC Sport. "His progress will be monitored and we wish him a speedy recovery."
Royal Clarence Hotel fire fails to dampen wedding daypublished at 12:52 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2016
Jonathan Morris
BBC News Online
A couple saved their wedding day after Exeter's Royal Clarence Hotel was destroyed by fire.
Image source, Amy Sampson Photography
Their wedding venue, Exeter City Council's Guildhall, was cordoned off after the fire on Friday but Nikki and Fraser Burling-Hobbs, both 31, went ahead after staff "were kind enough" to liaise with police for clearance.
Carer Nikki was escorted to the site by officers and walked down the aisle the wrong way as the main entrance was blocked.
Royal Clarence Hotel guests 'very lucky to be alive'published at 12:37 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2016
Jonathan Morris
BBC News Online
A guest at the Royal Clarence Hotel, which was destroyed by fire said he and his wife were "very lucky" to escape alive.
Nick Groom, who lives in France, was visiting Exeter with his wife Annie when he was "woken to the sound of an inferno and breaking glass".
"I dived out of bed grabbed my wife Annie from bed and said we've gotta get out of here," he said.
"We tried to open the door and it was blocked."
Image source, bbc
He said he ran upstairs to find the key.
"I grabbed a pair of boots and two dressing gowns and my wife had managed to get the door open.
"Inside the room it was terrifying with the orange of the flames.
"We found the corridor in peace with the lights on. The juxtaposition was incredibly strange.
"We ran through the hotel shouting 'fire'. Reception were calling fire services.
"We got onto the green and realised we were very lucky."
Exeter fire: Cordons to 'remain until Tuesday at least'published at 12:24 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2016
Simon Hall, Home Affairs Correspondent
BBC Spotlight
Cordons on part of Exeter High Street and all of Cathedral Green will remain in place until at least tomorrow, the fire service has told the BBC.
Redruth's Fuca has 300th game to forgetpublished at 12:12 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2016
Brent Pilnick
BBC Sport
Redruth forward Chris Fuca had a 300th game for the club to forget as the Reds lost 43-25 at National Two South high-fliers Old Elthamians.
Image source, Dan Barbary/redruth RFC
The Cornish side were three tries behind at half time as they suffered their second defeat of the season.
"It's probably not one he would want to remember, but he was outstanding throughout the game," head coach Marek Churcher said of the veteran back-row. "It's important people look at him and his honesty and loyalty to the club."
Iconic landmark Brown Willy is under offer just weeks after going on the market for £2.8 millionpublished at 12:02 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2016
West Briton
One of the most iconic and rugged parts of Cornwall, external could soon have a new owner.
Royal Clarence Hotel blaze: Fire service says it was there within six minutespublished at 11:48 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2016
Jonathan Morris
BBC News Online
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said it was at the scene of a blaze in a gallery next to the Royal Clarence Hotel within six minutes of receiving the first call.
Image source, Nick Groom
A spokeswoman said the first fire engine from the Danes Castle station was at the scene at 05:18 following the call at 05:12.
That is well within the fire services average response time of about 10 minutes., external
It followed claims from a hotel guest that it took 25 minutes for the first fire engine to arrive. Nick Groom, who was standing on the Cathedral Green after fleeing the fire, told BBC Radio Devon: "We were on the green for 25 minutes before one engine arrived.
"No-one could believe we were witnessing the total destruction of a building and no-one could do anything about it at all."
Royal Clarence Hotel fire: Owner 'extremely proud' of staffpublished at 11:42 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2016
"Amidst the tragedy, I have been reminded of the commitment, professionalism and dedication of so many people, and I would like to thank everyone for their overwhelming support.
"Hotel general manager John Badley and his team not only fulfilled the most important function they could have done by ensuring all guests and staff were evacuated safely, but have since continued to offer help and support to all guests in a positive and extraordinarily professional manner. I am extremely proud of all the team."
Paranormal or just normal?published at 11:31 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2016
Mark Rablin is the resident medium at Bodmin Jail in Cornwall.
That means he takes visitors on overnight tours of the old prison, searching for signs of paranormal activity.
More than 50 executions took place at the former jail, which was in operation between 1779 and 1927.
Media caption,
The man who runs spooky 'ghost walks' at an old jail
Fire service 'took 25 minutes' to reach Exeter Royal Clarence Hotel firepublished at 11:18 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2016
Jonathan Morris
BBC News Online
The fire service took 25 minutes to reach the Royal Clarence Hotel fire says the man who was the first to raise the alarm.
Image source, Nick Groom
Nick Groom was asleep in the hotel on Friday morning when the sound of flames, smashing windows and creaking timbers from the art gallery next door woke him and his wife.
Image source, Nick Groom
He says that as hotel guests gathered on Cathedral Green it took 25 minutes for the first fire truck to arrive. "At that time, knowing the fire brigade had been called, we thought that within five or 10 minutes they would be here and get on with the job and very quickly this will become extinguished.
"We were on the green for 25 minutes before one engine arrived. No-one could believe we were witnessing the total destruction of a building and no-one could do anything about it at all," he said.
Image source, Nick Groom
The person in charge of the initial operation said that as well as trying to stop the fire spreading from the art gallery, firefighters had to go from room to room inside the hotel to ensure guests had got out safely.