Fire chiefs criticised the ‘callous’ smoker who set off a fire alarm at Treliske Hospital on Wednesday (December 27).

Fire crews from Truro and Tolvaddon Community Fire Stations were mobilised following the activation of a smoke sensor in a toilet in the Trelawney Wing just before midnight.

Hospital staff discovered evidence that the alarm had been set off by cigarette smoke.

Smoking is not permitted on any part of the hospital site.

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘This callous smoker has not only caused inconvenience to patients who are in hospital receiving treatment but they have also unnecessarily taken fire crews away from being available to attend genuine emergencies, should they have occurred in the area at the same time.’