Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

Falmouth Docks at 17/06/2011 20:00

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service are currently (08:42) attending a fire at Falmouth Docks where there are a large amount of acetylene cylinders involved in the fire exclusion zone.

There is a 300 metre evacuation zone in place from Castle Drive and Maritime Flats.

Advice to residents living near by is to keep doors and windows closed.

Update at 9am
Currently in attendance to the incident are 56 Firefighters which includes 6 pumps, 1 Command and Support vehicle, 1 High Volume Pump, 1 Welfare Vehicle, Operational Support vehicles, and the Aerial Ladder Platform.

Update issued by the Police at 10.25am

At 8.18am this morning, Friday 17 June 2011, police were informed of a serious fire at Falmouth Docks. It is believed there are a number of acetylene cylinders at risk of exploding. There is currently a 300 metre exclusion zone in operation but this could change as the situation develops.

Police advise the public to stay away from the Falmouth Docks area and obey any road diversion signs.

This is a fast moving situation and we do not have the full details and extent of this incident at this time. Residents living near the docks are advised to keep doors and windows closed.

There are currently road closures at Castle Drive, Melbourne Road junction with Pendennis Road and Pendennis Rise.

Evacuations have taken place including a block student flats where around 150 students have been taken to safety. Castle Drive and Pendennis Rise have also been evacuated.

As things stand at this time the Falmouth Hotel are kindly housing evacuees as a temporary rest centre. The Emmanuel Baptist Church further along Melville Road is on standby as a longer term rest centre.

Update at 1.10pm

The situation is currently stable.

At the moment, the 300 metre exclusion zone is likely to be in place for at least 24 hours while the fire service keeps the acetylene cylinders cool.

Cornwall Council’s Emergency Management service has set up a respite centre at the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Melville Road Falmouth and that facility is now open to receive anyone whose home is within the 300 metre exclusion zone and who requires assistance.

Update 18:30

Thirty staff from Cornwall Fire and Rescue service remains on scene at Falmouth docks at this time. Equipment includes three Major Fire appliances, a Command Support Unit and an Operational Support unit, a welfare vehicle from St Dennis also remains in attendance. Cornwall Fire and Rescue service are currently still on scene fire fighting. Crews are currently using three ground monitors supplied by a sea hydrant at Falmouth Docks, one thermal imaging camera, gas detector and binoculars are in use monitoring the fire and cylinders.

Relief staff are being arranged to maintain a 24 hour watch on the incident.

Final information regarding the incident. On Saturday afternoon the 18th of June the final crews left the scene. A Fire Investigation will take place on Monday 20th June.