Multiple car fire incidents in Oliver's Terrace area

The eye witness was woken up just after 3am, following numerous calls to Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service's Critical Control of a car on fire. 

Two appliances were initially mobilised to the incident, but a few minutes later, more calls were received alerting the fire service to further vehicles on fire in the area.

Firefighters tackle the blaze

At least four vehicles in Oliver's Terrace and on to the corner of Meneage Street were alight and another one in Penberthy Road was also on fire. There were unconfirmed reports of another incident in Bulwark Road. 

The horrified eyewitness said: "I was woken up at around 3.15am by a continuous car horn, as if someone was leaning on it.

"I looked out the window and could see fire reflected in the window of a car so ran outside and a van was just a huge fireball. I called 999 and people started moving their cars out the way as it looked as though it was going to spread.

"Right next to houses in Oliver's Terrace, I really feared it was going to spread to the houses, but fortunately the van started to roll away from the houses, and got stopped by a wall, but then set two other cars alight.

The charred remains of a burnt-out vehicle

"There were explosions everywhere. All houses in Oliver's Terrace and part of Meneage Street were evacuated. Two other fires at the same time, which I think were in Penberthy Road."

The witness added: "There were lots of broken windows and some damage to some houses due to heat. You never really think you're actually going to have to grab your child from their bed in the middle of the night and run for your safety."

Fire appliances from The Lizard and surrounding area attended to deal with the blaze.

Police are on scene this morning and are believed to be treating the incident as suspicious.

The aftermath of last night's car fires in Helston