Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

Foundry Terrace, Glenside, Perranarworthal, between Truro and Penryn at 05/02/2008 09:43

One fire appliance from Truro and one fire appliance from Falmouth attended a report of smoke issuing from a house. On arrival the crew could see signs of a backdraft and that the fire may flashover. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the property to find the fire involved an electrical distribution board and had spread to the first floor. One hosereel was used to extinguish the fire and prevent the flashover from occurring. The crews were detained some considerable time cutting away and damping down hotspots.

NB: A flashover occurs when hot flammable gasses from materials heated in a fire in an enclosed space, rapidly ignite to involve all combustible materials in that space. The effect can have tragic consequences for anyone in the vicinity. Firefighters undergo intensive training at the Brigade's training centre at Portreath to enable them to identify the signs that a fire may flashover and take the necessary actions to prevent it. These actions could stop the fire from escalating and make it safer for the firefighters to fight it.