A MAN has been arrested and detained in police custody on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life after a serious blaze ripped through an Aberystwyth seafront hotel from where 12 people, including three children, had to be rescued.

Emergency services are also continuing to search for one man, believed to be Lithuanian, who remains unaccounted for following the fire which started at Ty Belgrave Hotel on Marine Terrace just after 2.20am on Wednesday, 25 July.

The fire caused extensive damage to the Belgrave, as well as damage to the neighbouring Belle Vue Hotel and a residential property on the corner of Marine Terrace and Terrace Road.

Ty Belgrave House has been left gutted and “structurally unsafe” following the blaze.

DCI Neil Jenkins of Dyfed-Powys Police said officers are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire.

“As a result of our enquiries, a man has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and is currently in police custody in Aberystwyth,” DCI Jenkins said.

“One man remains unaccounted for following the fire.

“Work is being carried out to trace his next of kin, and officers are liaising with the Lithuanian Embassy in an attempt to contact them.”

A police spokesperson added: "Officers are keen to speak to anyone who was in the vicinity of Ty Belgrave House, in Marine Terrace, Aberystwyth at either the front, or Terrace Road to the rear of the property between 12am and 3am on Wednesday, 25 July."

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Dyfed-Powys Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.