'Multiple appliances' fight huge gorse fire near Redruth
The blaze broke out in the Wheal Uny area late on Saturday night and was being fanned by strong winds
Last updated 25th Apr 2021
Firefighters from across west Cornwall have spent the night battling a huge gorse fire near Redruth.
The blaze broke out in the Wheal Uny area at around 9.30pm on Saturday (24th April).
Critical Control received 84 emergency calls.
The flames, fanned by strong winds, were understood to be close to high voltage power lines.
Lewis Edwards could see the fire from his house and shared the above photo, amid concerns for horses in the area.
He tweeted: "Doesn't look good. I used to live at Wheal Uny. Lots of horses in the fields. I really hope it's missed them".
Other residents in the Camborne, Pool and Redruth area have posted on social media to say they can see the smoke from Tehidy and Tolvaddon.
Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service tweeted: "We are in attendance at a large gorse fire in the Wheal Uny area of Redruth. Multiple appliances are in attendance".
They later added: "We are currently in attendance at a large gorse fire in the Redruth area. There are 6 appliances and 1 water carrier in attendance and 2 Flexi Officers. They are fighting fire which has a 400m front and is close to high voltage power lines".
Just before midnight they added: "We have 6 major appliances and support vehicles from @TolvaddonCFRS, @TruroCFRS, @FalmouthCFRS, @HelstonCFRS, @StJustCFRS and two flexi duty officers in attendance. @swasFT and Western Power are also in attendance".
On Sunday morning they added: "At 2130 hrs Critical Control received the first of 84 calls stating there was a gorse fire in the Wheal Uny are of Redruth. Crews have fought the fire throughout the night and currently there is two appliances on scene from @ HayleCFRS and @StDennisCFRS monitoring hotspots".
Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service
The blaze was the second fire in the open in a matter of hours, after crews from St Dennis to Saltash were called to a separate gorse fire at Roche Rock: Read more.