At 0320 on Sunday 23 July 2017, the Isles of Scilly Fire & Rescue Service received a call reporting a fire in a farm building at Peninnis Farm near King Edward's Road. Both fire appliances on St Mary’s were mobilised and arrived on the scene shortly afterwards.
As oxyacetylene was contained within the building, firefighters were deployed with breathing apparatus and the nearby campsite was evacuated. Due to the severity of the fire and resources required, a major incident was declared by Devon & Cornwall Police.
Fire crews from each of the off-islands were also deployed and transported by the ambulance boat. Fire-fighters remained on site all morning using a Thermal Imaging Camera to monitor hot spots and prevent any re-ignition of the fire. Support and advice was also received from Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service throughout the incident.
Devon & Cornwall Police, HM Coastguard, South West Ambulance Foundation Trust and the Council’s Emergency Planning service were all in attendance demonstrating a coordinated and effective multi-agency approach to the incident.
A Fire Investigation Officer from Cornwall Fire & Rescue attended the scene in the afternoon to investigate the potential cause of the fire.
Cllr Ted Moulson, Chairman of the Council of the Isles of Scilly, and Craig Dryden, Senior Manager for Infrastructure and Planning, offer their thanks to everyone involved in responding to the incident, including the Isles of Scilly Fire & Rescue Service, Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service, Devon & Cornwall Police, HM Coastguard, SWASFT, St Mary's Hospital, Emergency Planning services and the St Mary’s Co-op store.