Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

Queen's Wharf Falmouth at 08/01/2003 02:30

After a full investigation by the team from Cornwall County Fire Brigade a possible cause for the dock fire in Falmouth has been determined.

It could have been caused by halogen lamps, which were placed to light the gangway for the crew aboard the tug ‘Tornado’. On occasions halogen lamps have fallen over and have started to smoulder, and with the very high winds that night and the fact that the wood had just been creosoted this is probably what happened.

However a thorough investigation cannot be carried out, as it is too dangerous for the investigation team to get anywhere near the area.

Without a complete investigation the Fire Investigation Team can only go on witness statements and video evidence. Inevitably the conclusion is somewhat speculative, but it can be ruled out that the cause was suspicious.