Fire crews tackling massive barn fire in Launceston Cornwall

It involves a barn full of bales described as “well alight”, with the intensity of the fire burning through much of the building.

Crews from seven different fire stations in Cornwall have been at the scene of the incident, which is expected to last into the evening.

Launceston Fire Station, one of the first crews on the scene, joked that even a hot air balloon was providing “aerial surveillance” earlier today, after one flew over the incident.

The fire at its most intense (Image: Launceston Fire Station/Facebook)

The emergency began just before 4.50am today, with one appliance sent initially to reports of a “fire in the open.”

However, the extent of the blaze soon became apparent and more stations were called in support of the operation.

A spokesperson for Launceston Community Fire Station said: “On arrival crews discovered a barn full of bales to be well alight. ‘Make pumps four’ and a water carrier was requested.”

Crews from Callington Community Fire Station, Tavistock Fire Station, Launceston Community Fire Station and a water carrier from Liskeard Community Fire Station began tackling the blaze initially, with a welfare wagon from Torpoint Community Fire Station also called in to support firefighters.

The incident is expected to last into the evening (Image: Launceston Fire Station/Facebook)

After several hours, crews from Bodmin Community Fire Station and St Austell Community Fire Station took over as relief crews.

Posting at around 11am, the Launceston Fire Station spokesperson said: “This incident is still ongoing and likely to continue into the evening.”

And they went on to joke: “We even had aerial surveillance from a hot air balloon,” adding a picture of a red coloured hot air balloon flying overhead as crews tackled the still smouldering building.

A hot air balloon flies over the incident (Image: Launceston Fire Station/Facebook)

Cornwall Fire and Rescue also posted about the incident earlier, saying: “At 04.47 on 13th July 2024 crews attended an agricultural fire in Launceston.

“Four fire engines and one water carrier are currently on scene using two hose reel jets and one breathing apparatus to tackle the fire.”