Chemical drum fire at Cornwall boatyard

Five fire engines were called to a fire at a boatyard in Cornwall on the morning of 6th December.

The fire started in storage drums believed to contain phosphine which is used in the pharmaceutical industry.

Local residents were evacuated as a precautionary measure.

Nursery worker Helen Churchill was evacuated from the area: “We were a little bit confused because we had heard a couple of bits on the radio but we didn’t really know exactly what had happened. Then, literally within seconds, we had a knock and then the police officer was there. It just happened all of a sudden.”

Police officers also cordoned off the area around the boatyard in Islington Wharf.

A spokesman from the local council said: “The scene has now been left in the hands of the owners who will continue to monitor levels of phosphine throughout the day. The levels are now considered safe. Residents living on the houseboats within the boatyard will be able to return to their homes later today after fire officers have conducted a final check to confirm the drums pose no further threat to the public.”