THERE has been a major emergency services response in St Ives this afternoon after an apparent explosion and fire at a waterfront bar.

Firefighters, ambulance crews and the air ambulance have all been on the scene.

Devon and Cornwall Police has confirmed that the scene was centred on The Balcony Bar in Wharf Road.

One person is thought to have sustained potentially serious burns.

Some witnesses have described hearing an explosion, something that was later confirmed by St Ives Community Fire Station.

A spokesperson for Cornwall Fire and Rescue said: "Pumping appliances from St Ives, Hayle, Penzance, and Tolvaddon with support vehicles from St Just, Falmouth and Helston responded to reports of a fire at a commercial premises.

"On arrival a industrial fryer unit was discovered.

"Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used a hose reel jet and thermal imaging camera to extinguish the fire.

"Police and the ambulance service were also in attendance."

A spokesperson for St Ives Community Fire Station said: "All pumps mobilised to a kitchen fire in the town; four breathing apparatus entered to find an oil explosion had badly damaged the kitchen and burned a member off staff.

"Quick actions by staff and two off duty paramedics kept the situation from escalating."

Wharf Road has been closed as a result of the incident.

Smoke could be seen billowing from one of the buildings on the harbourside in a video posted on social media (above).