THE hunt for an arsonist who sparked a blaze at a Bolton hotel, killing two people, continued today.

Detectives throughout the day were interviewing former and present employees of the hotel and a detailed fingertip search of a fire-ravaged corridor at the Bolton Moat House hotel goes on.

Today the senior officer leading the police investigation Detective Superintendent Dave Jones of Bolton Police insisted the cause of the blaze could not be determined until the forensic investigation is completed.

He added: "We will be interviewing staff members and people that have been previously employed there."

Yesterday the BEN exclusively revealed that a blazing mattress in the third floor corridor is believed to have been set alight, sparking the fire.

An elderly married couple from Blackpool died in the blaze.

A Home Office pathologist yesterday completed a post mortem examination on the two victims but their identities have still to be officially released.

Two other casualties were treated for smoke inhalation but were later released from hospital following the blaze drama at 12.30am yesterday.

The hotel is also understood to have received a number of threats, although a spokesman for the Moat House's parent group insisted they had not been made aware of any malicious calls. Only hours before the horror hotel blaze, guests had to be evacuated after a fire alarm was activated when an iron was left switched on.

Today police chiefs confirmed hundreds of callers had bombarded a special hotline set up so relatives could check up on their loved ones who had been staying at the town centre hotel.

And Det Supt Jones paid tribute to other Bolton hoteliers who had put up more than 120 Moat House guests who were evacuated from the building.

He added: "We are very appreciative of the conduct of the other hotels in the town. It was very kind of them to put people up as quickly as they did."

This morning a fingertip search of the fire-damaged corridor was continuing at the Higher Bridge Street hotel, with fire brigade bosses admitting it could be another 24 hours before the on-site forensic search is completed.

Fire chief Jeff Gill said: "The area has been sealed off since the incident and a detailed fingertip search has been ongoing.

"Every detail is being examined to determine the exact cause of the fire. This could go on well into the day. Once that has been completed all the agencies involved will get back together to discuss the findings."

The fire damage was confined to a length of corridor running between sets of fire and smoke doors, which helped confine the blaze.

Station Officer Gill added: "This is a modern hotel and has all the necessary modern precautions."

Four fire investigation officers have joined forensic scientists and police scene of crimes officers to complete the detailed search of all the wreckage for potential clues to the deadly blaze.