A POST-MORTEM examination has failed to formally identify the body found in the aftermath of the fire which swept through Harrogate’s Majestic hotel.

Police are still not linking the body with 41-year-old Nigel Butterfield, the hotel kitchen porter who has been missing since the fire on Wednesday. However, tributes have been posted on social networking site Facebook to Mr Butterfield by Majestic staff past and present.

Former employee Thomas Chapman wrote: “Such a sad day to see the place up in flames and to hear about Nigel.

“I have never worked anywhere like it before or since – such a sense of family and camaraderie with all the staff.”

Michael Jobling wrote: “Thinking about all the Majestic staff in such a tough time. Hope you guys are all okay – deepest sympathies for the family and friends of Nigel.”

Following yesterday’s post-mortem examination, a spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: “As a result of the post-mortem, we have been unable to establish the cause of death. We are also unable to provide identification of the dead person.”

The spokesman confirmed, however, that officers were still trying to locate Mr Butterfield, who is from West Yorkshire.

Fire broke out in the historic hotel shortly before 5am on Wednesday. At the height of the blaze, which broke out in the fifth floor staff quarters, 90 fire officers from two counties were fighting the flames.

A spokesman North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service said yesterday all the crews which were tackling the blaze had now left the site and the area had been handed over to investigators from the police and fire.

A statement from the hotel owners, Barcelo, said: “All guests were safely accounted for, but it is with great sadness that we were informed that a body has been discovered in the Barcelo Harrogate Majestic Hotel.

“It is too early to comment on the cause of the fire, but we are co-operating fully with the emergency services investigation. All aspects of this incident are now being handled by Harrogate Police and we will issue a further statement in due course. We would like to thank the emergency services and the local council for their rapid response and support yesterday.”

The owners said the hotel will be closed until May 16, but the decision will be reviewed on a regular basis.