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Gas cylinder fire and 'explosions' at Falmouth docks Falmouth Docks hit by gas cylinder fire and explosions
(40 minutes later)
More than 50 firefighters are dealing with a large fire at a dockyard in Cornwall where there have been reports of explosions involving gas cylinders. More than 50 firefighters are dealing with a fire among hundreds of gas cylinders at a dockyard in Cornwall.
The fire started at Falmouth Docks among acetylene cylinders along the outside of a warehouse at about 0850 BST, causing plumes of black smoke. The blaze at Falmouth Docks started at about 0820 BST among acetylene cylinders outside a warehouse.
Fire crews have described it as a "major incident". The fire service said there were 240 cylinders in the area, but that many were empty.
It is believed there are between 30 and 40 acetylene cylinders either on fire or at risk of being ignited. Plumes of black smoke have been seen and witnesses reported hearing explosions. Exclusion zones have been put in place.
Police have placed a 300m (985ft) exclusion zone around the site and the fire service said residents were being evacuated from nearby Castle Drive and Maritime Flats. Police placed a 300m (985ft) exclusion zone around the site, people were evacuated from nearby properties and the Ships & Castles Leisure Centre was closed.
There have been no reports of any injuries. 'Massive explosions'
Devon and Cornwall Police said Cornwall's fire service was in control of the incident, but if the incident rating was moved to "critical", the force would take over. There have been no reports of any injuries. Crews described the fire as a "major incident".
The force added a silver command centre had been set up and emergency services were expect to be on site for another 24 hours.
The Health and Safety Executive is also involved.
The fire service said six pumps were at the docks, together with an aerial platform ladder and a high-volume pump, from Newquay.
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," he said. "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 cannisters." "Then there was some massive, massive explosions and we saw a big raging fire on top of these canisters."
Respite centre 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.
Cornwall council is on standby to set up a respite centre at the town's Emmanuel Baptist Church. The Falmouth Hotel has been a temporary rest centre, housing evacuees.
The docks, which can handle ships with displacements of up to 100,000 tonnes, has repair facilities for vessels. Cornwall Council is on standby to set up a respite centre at the town's Emmanuel Baptist Church.
It also provides mooring for cruise liners visiting the town. The town has about 40,000 cruise passengers visit each year. 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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