Studio spaces 'totally destroyed' after huge fire at creative hub in Redruth
Krowji has confirmed the scale of the damage, saying the community is devastated
Last updated 17th May 2021
Bosses at one of Cornwall's biggest creative hubs say they are devastated after a huge fire.
Flames tore through one of the buildings at the heart of Krowji in Redruth.
Firefighters from St Just to Newquay were scrambled on Sunday morning.
They managed to stop it spreading to surrounding workshops and, fortunately, no-one was injured.
However, several studio spaces have been completely destroyed.
The team in charge at Krowji have described impact of the fire as 'terrible', as it was about to reopen after Covid.
Read more: Emergency services tackle large building fire in Redruth
"We are sad and distressed to report a major incident at our Krowji creative workspace in Redruth. A fire was reported in the early hours of Sunday morning which has destroyed a number of studio spaces at the heart of our site. Further office accommodation and studios were water damaged and will require major repairs.
"Thankfully no one was hurt or killed. The artists and makers affected, however, have lost studio spaces, work, equipment and will experience major disruption to their practice and livelihoods. Our priority will be to support these tenants and the rest of the community at Krowji in accessing all the support they need in the coming days and weeks.
"We extend our thanks to Cornwall Fire and Rescue for their prompt action and professional support. We are also very grateful to numerous cultural partners and friends who have made offers of help, alternative accommodation and expert advice which we will be incorporating into our plans.
"A crowdfunder has been started to raise funds for the artists. This is not connected to Creative Kernow or Krowji but we will be reaching out to the organisers and thank them for their energy and fast action to support our community.
"Krowji and Stones Krowji cafe will be closed until further notice and we ask that members of the public do not attempt to access the site for safety and security reasons".
CEO of Creative Kernow, Dr Fiona Wotton
Messages of support have been pouring in from locals and supporters of Cornwall's creative industry.
A Crowdfunder was launched to help raise ÂŁ10,000 for the affected artists - and it has already met target.
Charlie Coleman, who owned the former Melting Pot Cafe at Krowji, posted this message on the Just Giving page.
"A fire just broke out this morning at Krowji, Cornwall's centre for art, here in Redruth. Krowji is not just charity offices or a gallery but a living, breathing home to many artists and creative minds from all walks of life. Many of these tenants will have just lost artwork to not just the fire, but smoke and water too. Art is not something a simple small insurance check can solve, and many will have lost work that may have taken months if not years to produce, and would thus have now lost their livelihood.
"Krowji will be well known to many art fans for organising and being at the centre of Cornwall's annual Open Studios event, where artists across the county open up the private studios and homes to the public to come in and see inside their lives (and heads too) and possibly, especially for the artists, buy some artwork too.
"Having owned The Melting Pot cafe at Krowji for its last 3 years before it closed down, I had the pleasure and privilege to serve and make friends with many of the tenants and I know this has come as a crippling blow to some who have already suffered from not just the problems of Covid, but also drastic cuts in financial support for the art community.
"So I ask if you can help too, even if it's just the price of your next coffee".
Charlie Coleman