Redruth fire: Blaze destroys valuable artwork at creative hub

Artwork and studio space has been destroyed in a fire in Redruth

Artists have lost valuable work and studio space after a fire broke out at an arts and community hub.

Sixty firefighters tackled the large blaze at the Krowji building in Redruth, Cornwall.

Cornwall Fire Service said the incident had since been scaled down and an investigation was being carried out.

Fiona Wotton, CEO of Creative Kernow, which runs the hub, said: "We're feeling very, very sad and anxious for our tenants.

"We had such optimism about Krowji reopening and for this to happen now, there's no other word, it is devastating."

Sixty fire fighters tackled the blaze in Redruth

The charity, which runs and owns Krowji, said it would be working closely with tenants and staff to support them.

"We are a strong family, we're a community here and we'll look after each other" Ms Wotton added.

A fundraising page has been set up to support the artists who have lost work and has already raised more than £4,000.

A fire investigation is being carried out to establish the cause of the blaze

Trudie Moore, who has a studio in the hub, said it was "quite a shock" and upsetting.

The abstract painter said losing work would have "quite an impact" for artists who have already suffered this year with disruption and financial loss caused by Covid-19.

Fire crews were called to the scene in Redruth at about 06:30 BST.

Blowinghouse Hill was closed in both directions from West End to the A3047 and people were advised to avoid the area.

The Krowji building was part of a £3.7m project to transform a former school into an arts hub for 200 creative businesses, completed in 2015.