POLICE and fire investigators have still not yet been able to enter an Aberystwyth seafront hotel that was gutted by fire two weeks ago – holding up an investigation into the cause of the blaze.

Three children and nine adults had to be rescued in the early hours of Wednesday, 25 July, by firefighters after the fire broke out at the Ty Belgrave House on Marine Terrace.

Police, who are not expecting investigators to be able to enter the building until early next week “at the earliest”, have said the next of kin of a man who remains unaccounted for following the blaze have been traced with the help of the Lithuanian Embassy and have been “updated in relation to the investigation”.

Police said that investigations of the fire, which damaged neighbouring buildings and has left sections of the promenade cordoned off by police, are continuing, but it will take longer than anticipated for investigators to enter as the building remains “structurally unsafe” despite ongoing work to stabilise the inside of the hotel.

Detective Superintendent Huw Davies said: “We are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the unexplained fire which broke out at Ty Belgrave House.

“The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, and work is being carried out to make the building safe while preserving evidence at the scene.

“It is anticipated that access will not be possible until the beginning of next week at the earliest.

“Police and fire officers will then carry out a joint investigation to establish the cause of the fire.”

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