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 6 | Version 7 |
---|---|
Falmouth Docks hit by gas cylinder fire and explosions | Falmouth Docks hit by gas cylinder fire and explosions |
(40 minutes later) | |
More than 50 firefighters have been tackling a fire among gas cylinders at a Cornwall dockyard. | 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 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. | 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. | 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. | The Ships & Castles Leisure Centre was closed. |
'Massive explosions' | 'Massive explosions' |
There were no reports of injuries. | There were no reports of injuries. |
It was originally described by the fire service as a "major incident". | 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 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." | "But that's not to say things won't get worse again." |
Emergency crews are to remain at the docks for 24 hours. | 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. | 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. | 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." | He said: "It was very, very distant, but there were some thuds." |
Devon and Cornwall Police set up a command centre to deal with the incident. | Devon and Cornwall Police set up a command centre to deal with the incident. |
Rest centres | |
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. | 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. | 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. |
Organisers of the seventh annual Sea Shanty Festival in the town said the weekend-long event was going ahead, despite the cordon around the docks. | |
Are you in the area? Send us your comments and experiences. | Are you in the area? Send us your comments and experiences. |