Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

Islington Wharf, Penryn at 06/12/2011 05:53

Cornwall Fire and Rescue service are in attendance at a fire involving gas cylinders at Islington Wharf. Currently there are 4 major appliances on scene and a number of other specialist appliances are attending. No more details are available at present on this incident. Details will be added as and when they become available.

Updated 08:00

Further update @ 1425
Firefighters from Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service were called to reports of a fire in a boatyard in Islington Wharf in Penryn.

On arrival crews found the fire involved four drums which contained phosphine, a chemical used in pest control. As the chemicals produced a toxic gas, firefighters, working with the police and ambulance service, evacuated residents living within a 100 metre cordon.

Crews from Falmouth, Penzance, Redruth and Truro were mobilised to the incident and made the scene safe using CO2 extinguishers, sand and water. Church Street and Commercial Road were closed during the course of firefighting operations.

The scene has now been left in the hands of the owners who will continue to monitor the levels of phosphine (pronounced ‘fos-fine’) throughout the day. The levels are now considered safe.

Residents living on the houseboats within the boatyard will be able to return to their homes later today after fire officers have conducted a final check to confirm the drums pose no further threat to the public.