Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

Pandora Inn, Restronguet Passage, near Mylor, near Falmouth at 24/03/2011 11:24

At 1124hrs, the first of several 999 calls was received at Fire Control in Truro, reporting the thatched roof of the Pandora Inn on fire.

Two fire appliances and the operational support vehicle from Falmouth, two fire appliances and the Command Support Vehicle from Truro, the water carrier from Helston and one fire appliance from Redruth were mobilised.

The whole of the roof was involved in fire when the first crews arrived and they immediately got to work with jets to fight the blaze and also to cool gas cylinders that were nearby. A further pump was requested. One fire appliance from Helston was mobilised, which was already en-route to Falmouth to standby.

A total of six jets were used at the height of the fire supplied by water from hydrants and from water pumped from Restronguet Creek. Police were requested to assist with appliance movement through the very narrow access to the premises. Safety Officers were deployed due to falling thatch. The dimensions of the premises were approximately 40m x 30m

At 1159 hours a message was received stating that the roof had collapsed into the first floor, nearby properties were advised to stay inside and keep their doors and windows shut.

The Coastguard Agency were on scene to assist as Fire crews were working near to the water. Falmouth inshore lifeboat was also deployed.

At 1351 hours a message was received stating “fire surrounded”.

An Aerial Ladder Platform from Truro was mobilised at 1552 hours in order to assess the incident from above and deal with any hotspots within the building.

Two Structural Engineers have attended the scene to assess the structural damage of the building.

A Fire Investigation has taken place but is inconclusive at this time, further investigations will be carried out in the morning.

Update 0830hrs 25/03/2011: An officer has inspected the scene. It is still unsafe to enter the building. A structural engineer and specialist team will be making the building safe during the day. The attendance of the Fire & Rescue Service may be required later to damp down any hotspots.

The fire investigation is still ongoing.