One in hospital after boat blaze in estuary

A casualty has been taken to hospital after a fire broke out on a boat in an estuary.

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said multiple crews were on the scene at Sailors Creek in Flushing, near Falmouth, after receiving dozens of calls about the blaze at about 12:30 GMT.

In a statement on their Facebook page, directors of Sailors Creek CIC said they were "devastated to confirm that Keewaydin, a 1913 Lowestoft wooden trawler, was destroyed by the fire".

South West Ambulance Service said it sent one double-crewed land ambulance and an operations officer to the scene before taking one patient by land ambulance to Treliske Hospital.

Witness Christopher Sage told BBC Radio Cornwall he saw flames "leaping out the sides of the boat".

"It's really well-alight," he said. "You'll never save it, it's gone completely."

Sailors Creek CIC added: "Emergency services attended promptly, and we are profoundly grateful for their swift response. We can confirm no one was seriously injured.

"Keewaydin has been at the heart of an extensive two-year restoration led by master shipwright Spike Davies, supported by an extraordinary community of volunteers, donors and well-wishers.

"With her launch just two weeks away, this loss is deeply felt by everyone involved and by the many people who have followed her journey."

In the post, it added: "The fire is understood to have been an accident. The circumstances are being reviewed, and we are cooperating fully with the relevant authorities.

"We respectfully ask members of the public not to visit the site. The area is unsafe and access is restricted while assessments are carried out.

"Your cooperation will help ensure the safety of everyone and allow necessary work to take place."

It thanked the local community for the "overwhelming messages of support" already received and said its focus is on supporting those most directly affected.

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