Warning to avoid barbecues and bonfires after huge wildfire in Truro
Over 40 firefighters battled the blaze at Malpas but the cause has not yet been confirmed
Last updated 7th Aug 2022
Residents and visitors in Cornwall are being urged NOT to have bonfires or barbecues during the dry weather, following a large wildfire in Truro.
The cause of the blaze near Boscawen Park has not been confirmed, but officials have issued a warning after it engulfed grassland.
At its height, more than 40 firefighters from across the Duchy were battling the flames in the Malpas area.
Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service received over 35 999 calls on Saturday 6th August, as smoke was seen billowing into the air.
A major pumping appliance from Falmouth and a light appliance from Lostwithiel remained on scene overnight, monitoring and damping down hotspots.
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".
Speaking at the scene of the fire, Incident Commander Mark Sherris said: "Across the county and across the country recently, fire and rescue services are experiencing a high number of wildfires.
"We'd just ask the public to refrain from having bonfires and barbecues on dry ground, just because with the current climate they can spread very quickly".
Most parts of the Duchy and Devon are at 'High' or 'Very High', according to the Fire Severity Index.