POLICE are investigating a suspected arson attack following a large barn fire in Trencreek on Wednesday night (July 3).

The fire service received 39 calls after the blaze ignited off Trencreek Road at 7.30pm.

Two appliances from Newquay Community Fire Station initially attended the incident but as the fire was spreading to neighbouring hedgerows they were assisted by crews from Launceston, St Columb, Perranporth, St Dennis, Padstow and Tolvaddon and Penzance.

Police cordoned off a section of the A392 road between Trencreek and Lane whilst firefighters were at the scene. More than 50 fighters were in attendance at the height of the fire.

The blaze was eventually extinguished at around 9.50pm and the incident was scaled back with crews continuing to damp down. A crew remained at the scene into the early hours to monitor the area and extinguish any hotspots.

Neighbour Paul Moss said: “I was taking the dog for a walk and I could smell burning. As we were walking around the field I could see the smoke getting thicker and thicker.

“I’ve been a firefighter for 40 years and I could see things were not as they should be so I moved the mower just in time as the fire ripped through. It was a ferocious fire with lots of banging and popping.

“I moved the vehicles and waited for the fire brigade to arrive. They did really well. I think if they were another five minutes the buildings on our land would have gone up but they got in there and sorted it out. It was quite windy which did not help.

“The police did a really good job as well.”

A spokesperson for Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said: “At 19:33 Fire Control received the first of 39 999 calls reporting a large fire in the Treloggan area of Newquay.

“Two appliances were mobilised from Newquay along with a station manager. Due to the volume of calls and information being received from callers a third appliance was mobilised from Perranporth.

“On arrival crews were faced with a barn measuring approximately 20m x 30m fully involved in fire and spreading to neighbouring hedgerows, and requested a fourth appliance which was mobilised from St Columb. An Incident Command Unit was mobilised from Launceston and Operational Support Unit from St Austell.

“Further calls for assistance were made by the Incident Commander and appliances were mobilised from St Dennis, Padstow and Tolvaddon, as well as an environmental protection unit and support pump from Penzance.

“We had 56 firefighters on scene led by a group manager and two station managers. Good progress was made in fighting the fire.

“Arson is suspected. Anyone with any information should contact police quoting Log 805 of 03/07/24.”