A GROUP of youths were allegedly spotted running from the scene after a prominent derelict house overlooking Newquay Bay caught fire on Friday night.

Fire crews battled a blaze at Skerryvore House at Island Crescent at about 7pm. The firefighters managed to bring the flames under control before the fire took hold. A crowd of people gathered at the gates to the abandoned property to watch the fire crews extinguish the blaze.

The caretaker of the property stated footage from CCTV captured by neighbours depicts three boys fleeing the scene after the house caught alight.

He said: “Some teenagers set alight to some old papers in the Portakabin part of the building on the flat roof bit, which could have been a garage.

“Neighbours rang the fire brigade after they saw smoke and kids jumping over a fence and running off. The fire service has put it down as arson.”

An eyewitness added: “Three boys arsoned the abandoned house next to the island and laughed about it. Thanks to the fire brigade who responded quickly they managed to get the fire under control before it fully took hold. The boys were caught on CCTV.”

Newquay Fire Station has been contacted for comment.

Skerryvore House, which has been derelict for a number of years, has previously been set alight by arsonists. Plans are in the pipeline to redevelopment the site into a new dwelling.

Newquay Town Council’s derelict buildings working party has added Skerryvore House to its list of abandoned buildings it would like to see redeveloped following concerns they are an eyesore and a target for arson attacks.

The group has been reestablished due to fears an increasing number of derelict buildings will have a cumulative negative impact on the town and its tourism.