Emergency services were this afternoon at the scene of what has been described by eye witnesses as a ‘huge fire’ at the scrap merchants, W H Orchard & Son, near Dobwalls.

The fire is believed to have broken out at around 2.30pm and appliances from Liskeard, Bodmin and Callington rushed to the scene on the road between Dobwalls and Minions.

A police spokesman said: ‘There are no casualties. The road is closed and highways are probably going to attend.’

A spokesman for Cornwall Council said: ‘Local residents and motorists in the Dobwalls area are being advised to stay indoors and close windows.

‘The site contains a number of cars and tyres which are creating a plume of smoke in the area.

‘Five pumps from the Cornwall Fire, Rescue and Community Safety Service are at the scene, together with the service’s aerial platform ladder.’

Eyewitnesses described the scene as ‘very dramatic’.