Fire crews remain at country estate blaze

More than 40 firefighters have been tackling a large blaze at the Mount Edgcumbe country estate near Plymouth.

The fire in a converted former stables block at the south east Cornwall estate created a plume of smoke which could be seen in Plymouth across the River Tamar.

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service, which was called just after 16:00 GMT on Tuesday, said on arrival crews found the roof was well alight. Firefighters remain at the scene this morning.

Extra fire crews and equipment were deployed from Plymouth to help bring the blaze under control.

Firefighters said they were making good progress and no-one was believed to have been injured.

The cause of the fire is unknown.

Grade II listed Mount Edgcumbe House has Grade I listed gardens and the estate has more than 50 Grade II and II* listed structures.

The country park covers 865 acres of the Rame Peninsula and the house was built nearly 100 years before the Mayflower set sail from Plymouth to America in 1620.

The estate is now jointly owned by Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Council.

Dan Cox, who runs the Edgcumbe Arms at Cremyll said he believed damage had been caused to some holiday cottages and homes that people working on the estate live in.

He said: "We have some spare rooms at the pub if anybody needs them, I think a lot of people have been moved to other cottages on the estate.

"Everybody is just in shock I think and pulling together this morning to see what we can do to try and make sure everybody's safe - we're devastated for those guys."

Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].