Police name missing porter after blaze in leading hotel

North Yorkshire Police said the body was discovered in staff quarters on the fifth floor of the Majestic Hotel in Harrogate after the fire, which broke out at around 5am, devastated the top two floors and severely damaged the grand dining area.

Officers were unable to confirm whether the body was that of missing kitchen porter Nigel Butterfield, 41, who was unaccounted for following the evacuation of the hotel.

More than 130 guests fled after the blaze broke out in one of the top-floor rooms. Eyewitnesses saw flames shooting from the roof as around 60 firefighters were called to the hotel in the heart of Harrogate.

Police and firefighters, who fought the flames for seven hours yesterday, say the cause of the fire was unknown but the seat of the blaze was being treated as a crime scene. The investigation is expected to take several days.

Supt Ken McIntosh, of North Yorkshire Police, said: "At this stage the cause of the fire is not known and a full examination of the scene will be carried out by fire investigators and police. It is too early to say if there are any suspicious circumstances."

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service group manager John Foster said 16 fire appliances were sent to the fire which involved top-floor bedrooms and the roof area. Some 130 guests were evacuated along with about 25 staff.

Julian Harrison, from Wolverhampton, said: "Everybody was very calm. A majority of people thought somebody had just set off the alarm with a cigar but on the way down, firemen were running up the stairs past us and we knew then it was something more serious."

Police last night confirmed Mr Butterfield was missing after the fire but stressed officers were yet to identify the victim of the blaze. A spokesman said: "We will not be in position to release their name until formal identity has been carried out. Police and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service remain at the scene and will be carrying out an investigation to establish the cause and circumstances of the fire."