Barn fire spillage effects 'minimal'

THE cause of a major fire at a barn on the Rame Peninsula was accidental, say Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service.

Roads were cordoned off yesterday afternoon as firefighters from across East Cornwall and Plymouth attended to the blaze near Millbrook.

The fire was brought under control and the emergency service response was scaled back by around 7.30pm, with crew from Torpoint and Looe staying on scene to dampen down and monitor.

Some residents had been evacuated and others locally had been advised to keep windows and doors shut as fuel and chemicals were involved in the fire.

A drone from Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service was used to survey fertiliser being stored nearby.

“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,” said a spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police.

“The Environment Agency are monitoring the water quality and are confident the effects will be minimal, and the contamination will disperse naturally.”