Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

Cliff Road, Falmouth at 30/04/2012 12:09

At 1209 hours today a call was received from the Falmouth Beach Resort Hotel reporting a fire. Two appliances from Falmouth were mobilised, first attendance was at 1214 hours. On arrival it was confirmed there was a fire to the rear of the premises and aerial ladder platform from Truro was requested. The fire was spreading rapidly being fanned by gale force winds and four further appliances were requested. The fire quickly developed and spread rapidly across the roof area and involved the third floor of the hotel, four further appliances and another aerial ladder platform was requested. At 1307 it was confirmed that a hotel of four storeys 100 metres by 100 metres had the third floor well alight also the roof, firefighters wearing breathing apparatus using main jets were committed at the incident. The nearby St. Michaels Hotel was evacuated with the assistance of Devon & Cornwall Police, who also closed roads in the vicinity.
Also in attendance at the incident were the Incident Command Unit from St. Just, two water carriers from Helston and Wadebridge, the breathing apparatus support unit from Falmouth alongside appliances from Falmouth, Truro, Helston, Redruth, Camborne, Penzance, Mullion and St. Keverne, which was supported by the welfare vehicle from St. Dennis.
At 1420 hours further resources were requested and the high volume pump from Newquay was mobilised, also at this time an officer was airlifted by a sea king helicopter from Culdrose for aerial reconaissance.
As this is a protracted incident, relief crews were required at the incident, these attended from Bude, Saltash, Lostwithiel and Wadebridge.
During the incident there were reports of people not being accounted for, so the incident was classified as 'persons reported.'

Update 2100 hours: The incident is now being scaled down, with several appliances returning to their home stations, further relief pumps will be in attendance at midnight with appliances attending from Perranporth, St. Dennis, Fowey and St. Ives.

Update 2300 hours: Crews are still actively firefighting and damping down hot spots at the incident. The incident is still being scaled down but remaining Cornwall Fire & Rescue resources will be remaining on scene for a considerable time.

Update 0100 hours: The only appliances in attendance at this time are from Fowey, Perranporth and St. Ives also the high volume pump from Newquay along with the aerial ladder platform from Truro. Crews will keep a watching brief throughout the night, monitoring hot spots and damping down. As at this time there are still three persons unaccounted for.

Update 0600 hours: Two relief appliances from Helston and Redruth have now arrived on scene, allowing the overnight appliances to return to their home stations. The high volume pump from Newquay along with the aerial ladder platform from Truro are remaining on scene at this time as well as the welfare vehicle from St. Dennis and the Incident Command Unit from St. Just. The scene is still being monitored, the crew are monitoring hot spots and damping down. A Fire Investigation will be taking place later this morning.

Update 1130 hours: A Fire Investigation is still taking place. Crews are still on scene. We will update you as and when we receive further information.