Police are appealing for witnesses after a hotel which was full of young farmers attending their Annual Convention caught fire, believing it could be an arson attack.

The fire began early on Sunday morning, in the basement of the Bancourt Hotel in Torquay and many guests, all attending the yearly event, held at the nearby Riviera Centre, had to be evacuated from the building.

Police are treating the incident as arson with intent to endanger life, and fire investigators remain on scene to carry out further enquiries.

Three people, including a staff member, sustained minor injuries and were taken to Torbay District Hospital, two suffering from smoke inhalation and another with a cut arm.

The road was closed at Old Mill Road and Pilmur Avenue but reopened at 3.10am.

Andy Penhaligon, detective sergeant from Torquay CID, said: “We are treating this incident as arson. Fortunately there were only three minor injuries but this reckless and purposeful action could have had far more serious, even fatal, consequences.

“Further enquiries are continuing to establish the exact circumstances of the fire and we are appealing to anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity or individual in or around the hotel at the time of the offence to contact us.

“I would pay credit to the firefighters and police officers, plus the hotel owners and staff, whose swift actions and partnership work ensured the safety of guests and members of the public, as well as the local community, Torbay Council and Street Pastors who provided tremendous support to the evacuated guests.”

All of the hotel’s guests were given overnight accommodation at the Riviera International Conference Centre.

Heather Black, NFYFC’s chairman of board of management, said: “We are pleased to say that all our YFC members and the hotel staff are safe and well.

“The Riviera Centre has been brilliant in letting our members stay over in the centre last night and providing refreshments for them.

“Torbay Council provided emergency supplies so everyone had a sleeping bag and Arley Medical Services have been supporting members.”

Anyone who has information to assist the investigation is asked to contact police on 101@dc.police.uk or by phone on 101, quoting crime reference CR/030215/17.