Team restoring 1913 yacht shocked by blaze

A team behind the restoration of a historic 1913 fishing boat destroyed in a blaze say they are shocked as the vessel was just days from being relaunched.

Mark Cann, co-founder of Sailors Creek CIC, said the restoration of Keewaydin, a Lowestoft wooden trawler, was almost complete and they were just "two weeks off launching", but he now thought the vessel could not be saved.

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said multiple crews were called to Sailors Creek in Flushing, near Falmouth, on Thursday, after receiving dozens of calls about the blaze. One person was injured.

Fire crews are continuing to dampen down hot spots on the boat.

Cann said the team had been counting down to relaunch after working on the restoration for two years.

"We were really focusing on how we were going to launch it and we were preparing to lay ropes and organise the actual manoeuvre, which was going to be difficult."

He said there were only a "handful" of the type of wooden trawlers left, and "it was quite something".

Loz Cann, co-founder of Sailors Creek and Mark's wife, said: "It's a difficult subject for us, we are getting over the shock of it all.

"She [Keewaydin] has her own story in the community that she's built around her.

"It was such camaraderie. The place where we all shared, it is now gone."

The team said the person injured in the fire had been taken to hospital and was "OK".

On Thursday, Sailors Creek members said the fire was thought to have been started accidentally.

Volunteers have since thanked crews for their efforts to save the yacht.

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