ARSON is suspected after a man-made den caught ablaze behind Newquay’s popular skate park.

The incident commander from Newquay Fire Station believes the structure near Concrete Waves at Trenance was set ablaze on Monday, April 13, at 9.50pm but has “no proof.”

An appliance from Newquay Fire Station attended the incident by which time the den was “well alight” and had spread to a nearby hedge.

Firefighters used two hose reel to extinguish the flames.

An eyewitness says he saw three boys setting the structure on fire before running from the scene.

Eyewitness Joseph Miles said: “The den was just up the path behind the skatepark.

“There were three boys there who all took part in setting it on fire.

“I was at the skatepark when I saw lots of smoke coming from the direction of the den so went to check it out and saw the three boys running away from the area.

“The fire team were there for a good two hours making sure it was out.”

Devon and Cornwall Police has stated it is not aware of the incident.

The fire crew manager in charge of the incident said: “The man-made den was built out of wood pallets.

“I can say the fire was suspected arson.

“We cannot prove it was arson unless we get a forensic dog in there. The probability is that the den was set alight, but we have no proof of that.

“It would be that someone has set fire to the den as fires don’t start on their own when it is reasonably cold.

“We did not see anyone running away and when we were there no one said they had seen the den being set alight.

“The police were not involved in the incident.

“We have been there twice before at the den where fires have been started.

“One was an open fire by the side of the den but this time the actual structure caught fire along with the hedge.”

Mayor Cllr Drew Creek expressed his disappointment over the incident.

He added: “I am pleased to hear that no one was injured and that the damage was contained.

“I hope that those responsible reflect on the danger they put themselves and others in here.

“I would like to think it wasn’t malicious though we have now had a couple of incidents of vandalism at the skatepark toilets and now this.

“The impact on the community is real both in the damage and costs of repair or in this case the fire brigade having to come out and put the fire out.

“I want to thank the wonderful fire brigade team who work hard and put themselves at risk for our town in a daily basis.”

A spokesperson for Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service added: “One appliance attended this incident from Newquay Fire Station. The incident involved a man-made den and a hedge.

“The crews used two hosereel to extinguish the fire.”