A fire that broke out underneath Helston's historic Guildhall "could have been devastating" just days before Flora Day had it not been for the quick actions of firefighters and councillors.

Both the ladies' and gents' sides of the public toilets were set alight just after 2.30pm on Sunday,

Town clerk Chris Dawson confirmed that the cause was "not accidental" and that an arson investigation had been launched.

He told the Helston Packet yesterday: "It's relatively minor as fires go, but having said that the potential was huge. With the building and the materials it's made from, plus its age - it could have been devastating."

An attempt to set toilet paper alight is thought to be the cause in one side, while there have also been unconfirmed reports that teenagers may have set some newspapers alight in the corner of the other side.

It is hoped that the building's CCTV cameras will have recorded what took place and identify the culprits.

Smoke from the fire was picked up by the building's sensors, which then automatically dialled key holders to alert them to the situation.

A number of nearby councillors responded, with John Boase believed to be the first to arrive and call the emergency services, who got there within minutes.

Mr Dawson praised the response of the fire service, saying: "They were just brilliant. Thank you to them, they were superb and got here in no time."

A crew from Helston Fire Station was also joined by firefighters from Mullion, who put out the flames with hosereels before checking over the whole building and then ventilating it with high pressure fans to clear the smoke.

Although the ladies' toilets received only minimal smoke damage, which has been cleaned up, the gents' fared worse with three blackened panels needing replacing.

Church Street was cordoned off to traffic for a time, with the toilets closed for the rest of the day, although both sides have reopened to the public now.

The almost 200-year-old Guildhall, which was built in the early to mid 1800s, is the main focal point for Helston's Flora Day celebrations, with the fire breaking out just days ahead of this year's event.

Smoke from the fire had to be cleared from the adjoining Corn Exchange, which will be filled with Flora Day dancers for three of the day's dances this Saturday, although no damage was caused to this room.