Animals likely killed in 'mindless' Cornwall nature reserve fire
A nature reserve's bosses have condemned the "mindless destruction" of its site in a fire - which they say will have killed some animals.Cornwall Wildlife Trust (CWT) said about a quarter of Rosenannon Downs' 275-acre site, near St Columb, was scorched in a blaze which firefighters tackled on Thursday.It said while a herd of seven Shetland ponies who live on the reserve had been able to escape, other animals such as adders, field mice and ground-nesting birds would have died.Devon and Cornwall Police said the incident was being treated as a possible arson attack.
CWT said it would inspect the damage caused to the land before it formed plans on how best to restore the habitats.Andy Collins, Cornwall Wildlife Trust's mid-Cornwall reserve manager, said: "This arson attack is nothing but the mindless destruction of nature."Those responsible have shown no regard for the wildlife for whom the site is home, the local environment, or the wellbeing of our ponies, whose lives were placed at risk."
Cornwall Fire Service said it was called out to the incident at about 19:30 GMT.It said the blaze at one point had a front more than 1km (0.62 miles) in length and seven fire engines and four Land Rovers were in attendance.An update from firefighters just after 23:00 GMT said the flames had been extinguished.People living in nearby towns and villages including Newquay and Wadebridge said they were able to see flames from the fire.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
13 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Ex-Glasgow bus and taxi driver's shock encounter with a giant snake
One he has never forgotten happened at the Round Toll in Pollokshaws. 'I pulled up at the stop, and a man shouts in the door, 'oi, mate, can I bring this on?'' recalls Jim. 'It was a Shetland pony.' He laughs, with a shake of his head. 'I said, no, of course you can't. You really did see all sorts on the Glasgow buses.' Last week in the Glasgow Times, Jim shared his memories of a dramatic night in the city's history. He was one of the fireman who fought in vain to save the St Andrew's Halls after a blaze broke out in the historic building in October 1962. Jim, centre, with colleagues from Glasgow's fire service (Image: Gordon Terris/Newsquest) Jim's service to the city has been remarkable, as in addition to his years in the fire service, and on the Corpy buses, he worked as a police officer and a taxi driver. 'I enjoyed the taxis, because you got to meet people, and really talk to them,' says the 85-year-old. He adds, wryly: 'I mean, you met people in the police too, but not always in the best of circumstances.' Jim recalls one night picking up a fare in the city centre. (Image: Newsquest) 'It was a man carrying a big bag, and as we're driving along, I look in the mirror and see that what was in the bag is now over his shoulder – and it's a huge python,' he says. 'I nearly drove off the road. He said, 'it's okay, he ate yesterday' and I spluttered, 'I don't care when he ate, he's not riding in my taxi,' and I threw them both out.' Now living in sheltered housing in Kirkintilloch, Jim loves to tell stories from his life growing up and working in the city. He has a son Graham and twins Laura and Ronnie, six grandchildren - Connor, Liam, Glenn, Ben, Bruce and Amy – and one great-grandchild, four-and-a-half-year-old Rhea. Jim with daughter Laura and great-granddaughter Rhea (Image: Gordon Terris/Newsquest) Today, Laura and Rhea are visiting, as Jim recalls his childhood in the East End. He lived on Madras Street in Bridgeton, named after the Madras muslin which was woven into curtains in the factories nearby. 'I nearly got killed there, one day, when I fell through the roof of the place,' he says, cheerfully. 'I'd gone up to get a ball that had been kicked up there, and fell right through the roof. Luckily, because it was a Sunday, the place was empty and the looms weren't working.' He adds: 'Had they been on, I would no doubt have been killed when I fell into them.' As it was, Jim was badly injured in the fall. He jokes: 'So my mum waited a few days before she gave me a leathering.' Jim and Helen on their wedding day (Image: Gordon Terris/Newsquest) Glasgow has changed beyond recognition from the city he grew up in, acknowledges Jim. 'I went back to Madras Street not that long ago, and it has all gone,' he says, sadly. Jim was a police officer for almost seven years, leaving the force when he met his wife to be, Helen. 'We met at the Albert Dance Hall,' says Jim, adding with a smile: 'I wasn't much of a dancer, but we hit it off.' (Image: Gordon Terris/Newsquest) Helen sadly died in 1991, when Laura was 18. 'My mum was the centre of our family, she kept us all together,' she explains. 'She had cancer. 'My dad had a really tough time after she died, coping with three teenage kids. It was hard.' Despite his own health problems, Jim is still going strong. 'I just got on with my life, and there were plenty of ups and downs,' he says. 'I gave a lot to Glasgow, but I got a lot out of it too. And I've been happy.' Share your stories of growing up in Glasgow by emailing or write to Ann Fotheringham, Glasgow Times, 125 Fullarton Drive, Glasgow G32 8FG.
Edinburgh Live
2 days ago
- Edinburgh Live
Antiques Roadshow guest gushes 'I can't believe that' as value of inherited item unveiled
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A guest on Antiques Roadshow was utterly astounded by the hefty valuation given to his Rolex watch by expert Richard Price. During a rerun of the much-loved BBC show, which aired on Sunday 8th June, Brodie Castle served as the backdrop for a host of valuable discoveries. The episode showcased a man who presented Richard with a 1960s Rolex GMT-Master that once belonged to his uncle. Richard, examining the timepiece closely, told the owner: "All Rolex collectors refer to these things by their reference number," and "You know as well as I do because it says so on the dial that it's a GMT-Master." The owner shared that he had held onto the watch for about 32 years after inheriting it from his uncle, reports the Express. (Image: BBC) He guessed that the watch might have been a present to his uncle in the 1960s, leading Richard to investigate its provenance further. Richard clarified: "It's the reference 1675, which is the classic GMT-Master when you said 60s, I think we could fairly safely say 1960 to 1961, so that all fits in." Upon closer examination, Richard was delighted to discover the watch was unmodified, pointing out that many watches are often altered during servicing, which can disappoint collectors. He detailed: "They would've changed the bezel and they would've changed the dial with an upgrade," and then remarked: "You would've had it back thinking, 'Oh, it looks like new'. Collectors hate that, it's absolutely original, spot-on." The expert was then left a tad disappointed after inspecting the watch further, noting that it sported a jubilee bracelet rather than the original oyster type. He informed the downcast owner: "It's a Rolex product of course, but it says 'Made in the USA'. So perhaps he specified that he did not want the oyster bracelet, he wanted a jubilee bracelet and they put this one on for him. "Which sort of detracts from it a little bit, probably detracts from it by a couple of thousand pounds." (Image: BBC) The guest's spirits dipped further when Richard valued the watch at what would have been £300 to £350 in the early 60s. Reacting to the valuation, the guest said ruefully: "Wish he bought more." However, Richard had some uplifting news, announcing that the Rolex is likely worth £12,000 to £15,000. The guest was left utterly gobsmacked as applause erupted around him. Visibly moved, he uttered: "I can't believe that, can't believe that." Antiques Roadshow is streaming now on BBC iPlayer.
The Guardian
2 days ago
- The Guardian
Queensland fire crews work to rescue man in his 80s stuck up to his neck in silo of fertiliser
Specialist fire crews were working on Sunday to rescue a man in his 80s trapped in a silo filled with urea in regional Queensland. A Queensland fire department spokesperson said a family member of the man reported just after 1.30pm he had fallen into a silo on the property near Eurombah, north of Roma. The silo contained urea, which is used for fertiliser. Queensland fire and rescue crews specialising in confined space and vertical rescue had secured the man in a harness while the urea was slowly released out of the bottom of the silo. As of 4pm, the urea had been lowered to the man's waist level, with rescue crew using buckets to empty it out. A rescue helicopter was on the scene to assist, alongside the fire crews, Queensland ambulance service and Queensland police.
