Major incident declared in Cornwall as farm fire causes gas cylinders to explode

There was a warning about a possible chemical hazard but Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service has since said the risk has greatly reduced

A barn fire on Cornwall's Rame Peninsula has been declared a major incident due to the large amount of burning fuel and exploding gas cylinders
Author: Sarah YeomanPublished 3rd Mar 2021
Last updated 3rd Mar 2021

A major incident was declared in Cornwall this afternoon (Wednesday 3rd March) following a massive barn fire.

The blaze at Rame Head, near Torpoint, triggered a warning about a possible chemical hazard.

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said a large amount of fuel was burning and gas cylinders has exploded.

It has been confirmed that nobody has been injured and officials say the risk has greatly reduced.

Roads in the area were closed into Wednesday evening, but the cordons have since been lifted.

Police were leading the multi-agency response, with firefighters from Torpoint, Saltash, Liskeard, Looe, Launceston and across the border in Devon called to the scene.

The force had issued health advice from Public Health England, urging residents to keep doors and windows closed.

Later on Wednesday evening, Devon and Cornwall Police gave the following update.

"The fire has now been brought under control and the emergency service response is being scaled back. Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service will be remaining at the scene to dampen down the fire.

"The cause of the fire is not thought to be suspicious at this time.

"There is no ongoing public safety concerns so the cordon and road closures have been lifted.

"Due to a spillage of diesel there is evidence of slight surface water contamination of a local stream that leads to the sea at Cawsand. The Environment Agency are monitoring the water quality and are confident the effects will be minimal, and the contamination will disperse naturally.

"We would like to thank the public for their assistance and patience as emergency services responded to this incident".

Devon and Cornwall Police

"At 1339hrs, the first of several 999 calls were received stating that there was a barn fire. Fire crews from Torpoint and Saltash were mobilised. On their arrival, they confirmed that the barn was well alight and that fuel was also involved.

"Further assistance was requested and fire crews from Looe, Liskeard and Camels Head (Devon & Somerset FRS), along with specialist vehicles from Liskeard, Launceston and Plympton (Devon & Somerset FRS) are on scene.

"Due to the rural nature of the area, roads have been closed to allow access for emergency vehicles and members of the public are asked to stay clear.

"Update: A major incident has been declared, due to a large quantity of fuel that is alight and gas cylinders exploding. Firefighters are trying to prevent the fire spreading to fertiliser that is stored nearby.

"Further update: The barn measures 40 metres by 30 metres and is well alight, including a quantity of fuel and gas cylinders, some of which have exploded. There are no casualties and firefighters are working hard to prevent the fire spreading to nearby fertiliser.

"Roads in the area are closed to allow the emergency services to carry out their work safely.

"Update 1910hrs: The incident is no longer being treated as a major incident and risk has been greatly reduced. Fire crews are continuing to cool the fire to extinguish it completely. A drone from Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service was used to survey the fertiliser and, although it was affected by heat, no longer presents a hazard.

"Fire crews from Torpoint and Looe remain at the scene, with all other resources returning.

"A fire investigation has been conducted and the cause is accidental".

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service

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