Commercial Road in Penryn was closed this morning and drivers warned to avoid the area after a fire in a flat above the CoG bike shop.
Critical control received a 999 call to the flat which was occupied at the time with everybody being evacuated from the building.
When they arrived there was a large amount of smoke pouring from the building and the police blocked off the road at the bottom of the St Gluvias Hill turn and the bridge end causing long tailbacks and increased traffic in the area as commuters tried to find alternative routes.
Drivers were warned to avoid the area while the emergency services dealt with the incident.
The occupiers of the flats waiting on the other side of the road where they watched as firefighters tackled the blaze.
- Read More in our live blog here: Multiple crews at scene of a fire in Penryn
Many others were inside the Work Shop café deli opposite, most still in their pyjamas, waiting to see what would happen.
One of the occupants told the Packet it had been a fire in one of the flats above the bike shop and they had been evacuated but it was all under control.
The owner of Cog Bike Shop said he had arrived for work and was obviously told he couldn’t go in but he didn’t know what he would find when he was allowed back in.
A spokesperson for Cornwall Fire and Rescue said: “Critical Control received a 999 call at 07:24 informing them of a fire at a residential property on Commercial Road, Penryn.
“Two appliances from Falmouth Community Fire Station were immediately mobilised, along with a whole-time officer for support.
“On arrival, the crew on scene made pumps three and confirmed a large amount of smoke issuing from the roof of the flats. Shortly after this, they made pumps 4 and requested the attendance of the aerial ladder platform from Truro Community Fire Station.
“In total now, there are crew members from Falmouth, Truro and Tolvaddon along with two whole-time officers.
“Crew on scene are using hose reel jets and safety jets to extinguish the fire.
“Please avoid the area if possible.”
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