This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-england-13805526
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 5 | Version 6 |
---|---|
Falmouth Docks hit by gas cylinder fire and explosions | Falmouth Docks hit by gas cylinder fire and explosions |
(about 1 hour later) | |
More than 50 firefighters have been tackling a fire among gas cylinders at a Cornwall dockyard. | |
The blaze at Falmouth Docks started at about 0810 BST among acetylene cylinders outside a warehouse. Witnesses reported hearing explosions. | |
The fire service said there were 240 cylinders, but many were empty. | |
Police set up an exclusion zone and about 150 people - including 60 students in an accommodation block - were moved out. | |
The Ships & Castles Leisure Centre was closed. | |
'Massive explosions' | 'Massive explosions' |
There were no reports of injuries. | |
It was originally described by the fire service as a "major incident". | |
But Kevin Thomas of Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said later: "It's moved from an aggressive state of incident and has reached a more stable state. | |
"But that's not to say things won't get worse again." | |
Emergency crews are to remain at the docks for 24 hours. | |
Mr Thomas said crews would be cooling the cylinders and regularly checking their temperature. | |
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. | "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." | "Then there was some massive, massive explosions and we saw a big raging fire on top of these canisters." |
Student Adam Rivers also said he heard loud noises after the fire started. | |
He said: "It was very, very distant, but there were some thuds." | |
Rest centres | Rest centres |
Devon and Cornwall Police set up a command centre to deal with the incident. | |
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 is a temporary rest centre, housing evacuees. | |
Cornwall Council also 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 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. | 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. |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |