Huge wildfire breaks out close to park in Truro
Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service have received over 35 calls to the area of Boscawen Park at Malpas
Last updated 7th Aug 2022
Multiple firefighters have been called to the scene of a huge wildfire near a park in Truro.
Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service received over 35 999 calls to the area of Boscawen Park at Malpas.
The first came through just after 11.15am, scrambling crews from the city, Tolvaddon and St Austell.
Teams from across Cornwall are now at the scene, with over 40 crews fighting the fire under what is being described as "extreme heat".
Dozens of photos have been shared to social media sites like Kernow Weather Team, showing plumes of smoke billowing across the area.
People living nearby and walking in the area described seeing the smoke from the Trafalgar Roundabout, the smell of burning grassland and hearing fire engines rushing to the scene.
Jennifer had travelled from St Columb Major, saying: "It was quite thick, dark, grey billowing smoke coming out of the trees.
"We were going to go for a walk by the river but the police wouldn't let us down so we diverted and had a picnic under the trees.
"It was the smell of smoke. John, in the car, he said it smelt like grassland and we found out later that it was.
"There was a lot of smoke. We saw the smoke when we turned down off Trafalgar Roundabout and it got worse and worse as we came down.
"It felt safe because when we got here the fire people were here and they would've moved us if it wasn't safe".
In an initial statement, Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service said: "Critical Control began receiving 999 calls at 11:18 informing them of a wildfire in the area of Boscawen Park, Truro.
"One appliance from Truro was immediately mobilised. The crew on scene have requested assistance from a further two appliances and an officer, which are on their way to the incident from Tolvaddon. In total, 22 calls have currently been received to this incident".
At 12.40pm they added: "Crews have requested a fourth appliance be mobilised to the scene. An appliance from St Austell has been mobilised and is on route".
A further update at 1.30pm stated "this incident is now at MAKE PUMPS 6" and, on Twitter, the fire service added: "Over 35 calls have now been received to this incident and there currently six appliances, two officers and one light vehicle in attendance".
At 3pm, Cornwall FRS said: "Cornwall Fire and Rescue remain on scene at this incident. This is a wildfire involving pine trees, grass fire and mixed high and low vegetation.
"Crews are working under extreme heat and uneven surfaces to contain and extinguish the fire. Hose reel jets and beaters are in use.
"In total, there are seven appliances, one water carrier, two officers, one Incident Command Unit and one light vehicle on scene, with the total number of crew members in attendance exceeding 40.
"36 calls were received by Critical Control to this incident".
Incident Commander Mark Sherris said: "Critical Control received multiple calls with smoke in the area. We mobilised Truro crews initially. From there, we now have seven pumping appliances and specialist vehicles from across the county including officer support as well.
"We are currently and constantly assessing the surrounding areas and at present we have good fire breaks and we're maintaining good working practices to stop spread from occurring.
"We're also working closely with our colleagues from Devon & Cornwall Police and utilising their drone so we'll shortly have drone footage to really establish where the fire is in terms of the area that is covered but at present, there are no risk to properties in the surrounding area".
When asked about the cause of the fire, Mark added: "We're just going to do an investigation on the conclusion of the incident with our fire investigation team and colleagues from Devon & Cornwall Police but at the minute, we just ask the public within the near vicinity just to shut doors and windows just in case of any smoke travel that might drift into their properties".
Relief crews from St Keverne, Perranporth, Newquay and Padstow were called to the scene in the evening.
At 1am on Sunday, Cornwall FRS added: "One major pumping appliance from Falmouth and a light 4x4 appliance from Lostwithiel remain on scene overnight monitoring and damping down hotspots".
Further updates from Cornwall Fire & Rescue and Devon & Cornwall Police will appear below.