Bideford Tantons Hotel fire: arson accused in court

The fire was confined to a top floor room at Tantons Hotel in Bideford

A man from Kent has appeared in court accused of arson with intent to endanger life at a north Devon hotel.

Anthony Westhead, 63, of Holywell Avenue, Folkstone, appeared before magistrates in Barnstaple.

More than 50 guests fled the building after the fire broke out at Tantons Hotel in Bideford in the early hours of Tuesday.

Mr Westhead is due to appear at Exeter Crown Court on 17 June. He was remanded in custody.

Sixty firefighters and 11 fire engines were used to tackle the blaze, which was in a single room on the top floor.