More unusual callouts for fire fighters in Cornwall

Jul 19, 2023

Firefighters in Cornwall never quite know what to expect when a callout comes through – and sometimes it doesn’t even involve a fire.

While flames and smoke take up a big proportion of their work, that’s not all the crews are trained to do.

They are also skilled at a range of animal rescues – which was put to good use near Liskeard when a horse became trapped at Horningtops.

A crew from Liskeard and a rope rescue unit from Bodmin were called out when a horse measuring approximately 16 hands became stuck in a car inspection pit.

A local vet was also called, but thankfully the horse was uninjured and remained calm.

Firefighters helped by making a ramp out of hay bales for the horse to walk out and return to its owners unharmed.

Another of the more unusual callouts this week involved a car that had become wedged against some scaffolding and was blocking a main road.

One crew was called to Lostwithiel Road in Fowey, where a car was blocking the main route into the town centre.

It had become wedged between scaffolding and a wall, blocking the main road.

Fowey firefighters assessed the stability of the scaffolding before helping to release the vehicle.

And even when there is fire involved, some situations are more unusual than others.

Fire crews from Newquay were called to smoke coming from a property in Berry Road, only to find smouldering tea towels.

Firefighters wearing breathing equipment used a jet to put out the fire, before using high pressure fans to clear the smoke from the inside.

In Stratton, crews from Bude, Holsworthy and Hartland were called to a fire in an extractor system used for welding.

Firefighters located the fire in the vent and made sure the building was evacuated and the electrics isolated.

A hose reel jet and safety jet were then used by firefighters, along with a thermal imaging camera. Firefighters worked with on-site engineers to dismantle the ventilation shaft and remove it from the building.

While it might feel like this was enough to cover a week of callouts, these in fact all took place on just Friday – and that wasn’t all.

The day began with a fire at a detached house in Rose Hill, Porthtowan just after 8am.

Flames had spread from a consumer unit on the ground floor to a first floor bathroom and then the loft space.

Four firefighters from Tolvaddon wore breathing equipment to put out the fire with two CO2 extinguishers and a hosereel, with the help of a thermal image camera.

The crew also gave oxygen therapy to one man who was suffering from smoke inhalation, while they waited for an ambulance to arrive. National Grid attended to isolate the electrics.

We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.

Please report any comments that break our rules.