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Falmouth Docks hit by gas cylinder fire and explosions | |
(40 minutes later) | |
More than 50 firefighters are dealing with a fire among hundreds of gas cylinders at a dockyard in Cornwall. | |
The blaze at Falmouth Docks started at about 0820 BST among acetylene cylinders outside a warehouse. | |
The fire service said there were 240 cylinders in the area, but that many were empty. | |
Plumes of black smoke have been seen and witnesses reported hearing explosions. Exclusion zones have been put in place. | |
Police placed a 300m (985ft) exclusion zone around the site, people were evacuated from nearby properties and the Ships & Castles Leisure Centre was closed. | |
'Massive explosions' | |
There have been no reports of any injuries. Crews described the fire as a "major incident". | |
Jamie Clark, who was staying about 60m (200ft) from the scene of the fire, said he was woken up by explosions. | Jamie Clark, who was staying about 60m (200ft) from the scene of the fire, said he was woken up by explosions. |
"The building's fire alarm went off and they started evacuating people. | |
"Then there was some massive, massive explosions and we saw a big raging fire on top of these canisters." | |
Kevin Thomas, of Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Local intelligence says there are in the region of 240 cylinders. | |
"We know that a good proportion of those are empty, but also obviously many are full as well." | |
Fire crews were expected to be on site for another 24 hours because of the volatility of acetylene, he said. | |
He said: "We will be cooling the cylinders and regularly checking their temperature. | |
"It will be a protracted incident for a very good reason." | |
Devon and Cornwall Police said the fire service was in control, but if the incident rating was moved to "critical" the force would step in. | |
Residents living near the docks were advised to keep doors and windows closed. | Residents living near the docks were advised to keep doors and windows closed. |
The Falmouth Hotel has been a temporary rest centre, housing evacuees. | |
Cornwall Council is on standby to set up a respite centre at the town's Emmanuel Baptist Church. | |
The docks, which can handle ships with displacements of up to 100,000 tonnes, have repair facilities for vessels. | |
The site also provides mooring for cruise liners visiting the town. About 40,000 cruise passengers visit the town each year. | |
Are you in the area? Send us your comments and experiences. | Are you in the area? Send us your comments and experiences. |
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