Man charged after fire at Stevenage hotel

Police have charged a man following a fire at a hotel in Stevenage.

Officers were called at 1153pm on New Year's Day after reports that a laundry bin was on fire on the fifth floor of the Ibis Hotel in Stevenage, on The Forum. 

Officers attended, alongside colleagues from the fire and ambulance service.

The hotel was evacuated as a precaution with three people treated for minor smoke inhalation, and everyone was able to return to the hotel by 3am. 

Yousef Abdinesir, aged 26, of The Forum, Stevenage, has been charged with arson with intent to endanger life. He appeared at Hatfield Magistrates' Court today (Wednesday 3 January), where he was remanded into custody ahead of a hearing at Cambridge Crown Court on Monday 5 February. 

Detective Constable Christopher Jones, from the Stevenage Local Crime Unit, said: "I would like to thank the fast actions of hotel and security staff who initially tackled the fire and assisted both police and fire colleagues with the evacuation of all residents. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured."

Call the non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference 41/260/24.