The remains of a large fire lit right in front of the lifeguard's hut on a Falmouth beach could have led to it burning down,

Environment, Education and Enforcement officers from Falmouth Town Council came across the remains of a large fire on Gylly Beach last Wednesday morning (January 17).

The fire was above the tideline and left a "horrible" patch of burnt sand according to the officers who want to remind people that all open fires on all of Falmouth's beaches. 

Posting on Falmouth Town Council's Facebook page the officers said: "Aside from having been lit right in front of the wooden lifeguard hut, which could have easily caught fire, it was also above the tide line which means it has left aFalmouth Packet: The fire left a horrible patch of burnt sand and ashThe fire left a horrible patch of burnt sand and ash (Image: FTC).

"We would like to remind all residents that open fires are banned on all of Falmouth's beaches.

"We can all do our bit to keep our sand safe by following these three simple rules:

  • No open fires directly on the sand - use a vessel (such as a BBQ) and dispose of all remains afterwards
  • Bin and recycle Litter
  • Adhere to the dog-friendly hours and pick up your dog's
  • If you see an open fire on the sand on any of Falmouth's beaches, please report it to 101 and to Cornwall Council through the 'report it' pages on their website, under anti-social behaviour."

Falmouth Packet: The remnants of the fire left on Gylly BeachThe remnants of the fire left on Gylly Beach (Image: FTC)

Despite the fire, at the last full meeting of Falmouth Town Council the officers reported that since they had cracked down on open fires following a spate of them after the pandemic, the number of fires lit on the beach had plummeted, with only one lit on Maenporth Beach recently which had been put out by the adults who lit it after they were told it wasn't allowed.