02/04/2012 Spotlight

Thousands of pounds worth of damage as a fire rips through a row of

cottages. Could a ruptured oil tank have started it?

Good evening. Tonight residents have been allowed back to their

homes to collect belongings as investigations continue.

Also on Spotlight tonight, Derriford hospital named as a major

trauma centre. Critically injured patients will be sent directly

there in an effort to act fast and save more lives.

And the thousands of local lives touched by the Falklands war. We

People are being allowed back into their homes to collect their

belongings today after fire ripped through five terraced houses in

Cornwall. A fire investigation team has been trying to find out what

started the blaze. It caused thousands of pounds of damage in

the village of Constantine near Falmouth. Homes had to be evacuated

and families had to spend the night with friends or relatives. Our

reporter Emma Ruminski has the latest.

One in the daylight it is easy to see why this fire was so difficult

to tackle. The cottages are so close together at the fire spread

quickly. Today investigators have been inside with surveyors to see

if it is safe for residents to go back and collect what belongings

remain. Tricky to access and quick moving,

it is thought the fire started near a domestic oil tank and as the fuel

ruptured out of the tank the flames followed. Smoke could be seen for

miles around. And the initial stages it is about

getting its water supply is working and getting our was spiked to work

on the fires. -- our hosepipes. It was then about protecting as much

of the property as we could and I am pleased to say we managed to get

a hold of this one very quickly. J G C a delay there was this huge

college -- call fire. Really frightening. How quickly did

it spread? It was incredibly quick. The burning oil must have added to

the speed of it spreading. No one was hurt, but several were

evacuated as the fire spread. Why a snake and have lots of phone

calls, people forming the pub asking if there was anything they

could do. They were offering accommodation, just to see if there

was anything that they could do. The family with two young children,

they lost all their clothes, so my daughter went on for his book and

said, if anyone had children's clothes could they help them out?

The investigators have not reported findings yet, but the inquiry is

focusing on a fuel tank in the backyard of properties. They are

warning other people to inspect fuel tanks. Are were of people have

domestic heating tanks. When the rupture we have the

flowing fuel fire that moves on to other outbuildings. It causes a lot

of damage and we do ask that everyone ends but -- inspects their

oil tanks to make sure they are in good condition and also that they

don't store flammable so anywhere near them.

A those affected are now staying with friends and relatives. At

least for the of the families are staying with relatives, but they

will not be allowed for some time back into their house. It could be

some time they will have to spend in temporary accommodation before

they can return. Derriford Hospital has today been

named a Major Trauma Centre for the South West as part of a plan to

keep more critically injured patients alive. People with life

threatening injuries should now be taken directly to their nearest

centre. However, some patients may end up in other hospitals because

air ambulances have nowhere to refuel in Plymouth. Here's our

Health Correspondent Sally Mountjoy. Chris Hooper broke his bet -- leg

in more than a dozen places when a car knocked him off his motorbike

in Plymouth ten days ago. He was brought to Derriford Hospital for

treatment. Go I had a lot of work done on my

ankle, plastic surgery, all thoughts, severe pain relief, a lot

of pain and discomfort but everyone has been helpful and kind.

Today, the Department of Health declared Derriford at the peninsula

at major trauma centres or anyone suffering more to life -- multiple

or life-threatening injuries will be brought straight here rather

than a local hospital. Patients have access to advanced technology.

It means a change in the way we managed trauma across the UK,

essentially, concentrating the activity and expertise in one area,

which has been shown to save lives and get patients back to work

quicker. Critically injured people in

Somerset will go to Bristol, and those in Dorset to Southampton, but

there is concern not all patients who should will go directly to

Derriford Hospital. Since Plymouth airport closed, air ambulances

cannot refuelled near there, so they may have to take patients

elsewhere. We'll just a few days away from

Easter, on the cusp of a very busy summer season. This is a busy,

hard-working air ambulance operation, and we are concerned

that the non-availability of fuel in the Plymouth area could impact

on patient care from Cornwall. Do talks are ongoing to resolve the

problem, meanwhile Derriford's, Team is sure its new designation

will mean many more patients A man accused of murdering his

partner just hours after she had undergone surgery for breast cancer

has told a jury at Exeter Crown Court he accepts he caused her

death. The body of solicitor Sian Rees was found between the front

seats after 54-year-old John Doyle crashed his car into a hedge near

the couple's home in Merton. She had been strangled. When asked

whether he accepted he'd held Ms Rees's neck, he replied, I do. Mr

Doyle denies murder and the trial continues.

A lorry driver from Yeovil has admitted crashing a petrol tanker

into the front of his family's bungalow in Dorset. Hugh Billington

drove the tanker into the house in Wool, that he and his wife

Christine own, in January. Mrs Billington had to climb through a

window to escape the fire which followed. The 51-year-old will be

sentenced at the end of the month. The Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust

has been fined nearly �1 million, mostly for failing to treat

patients quickly enough. The fine for the past year includes a

penalty for almost 200 breaches of rules over mixed-sex wards. The

trust says in the past six months it has reduced waiting times and

now has some of the shortest in the region.

A secure hospital for women in Devon has failed an announced

inspection by the care watchdog. The Care Quality Commission said

the Coombe House facility near Crediton wasn't meeting six

government standards covering areas such as staffing and how well

patients are looked after. The private firm which runs the

hospital says it is already taking steps to improve.

Parents trying to save a troubled private school in North Devon have

failed in their efforts to buy the building.

Administrators of St Michael's School in Tawstock have chosen a

different buyer. In a statement they say they recognise the

disappointment of the parents, but understand they're hoping to work

with the new owners to either buy the nursery buildings or stay there

for longer. Stay with us for a look back at how

the South West prepared for the Falkland's conflict 30 years ago

today. Plus the remarkable story of how this 10-year-old overcame the

odds to become an author. And east meets west - how dance is

helping to break down cultural differences.

The south west is gearing up for the Easter weekend and local

businesses are hoping good weather and the delay in possible strike

action by tanker drivers will help bring visitors to the region. But

why are the people who come here choosing the South West? Many

holiday makers have been telling the BBC that they come back year

after year and their decision has little to do with how the region is

marketed. Spotlight's John Ayres has more.

The Easter is a busy time. Attracting new business is well

wide all that is why there is a rush to build new facilities. A new

railway station has just opened, and Paignton has a new parked on

its green. Youngsters have been flocking to it bringing parents and

spending money. When people are in the town they

spend their money here, so hopefully it will be a boost to

trade, as well. It is a pity, then, that a tanker

drivers' strike has loomed. Why do visitors choose the South West? BBC

Devon cut -- conducted a straw poll with 100 people, be it is not

scientific but 95 of them said they were not enticed by advertising -

they were coming anyway. There it is a nice environment, and when we

come to visit we'd come out and take advantage of the lovely

sunshine. A don't think I was influenced by

the marketing, it was more my wife, really. We have come here for 40

years in succession can we really like it. -- for four years. Are you

strip come here when I was around five years old with my parents.

The industry sees marketing as an important tool, but it must be done

propertied -- properly. We're not all convinced of it

because we has such strong levels of business and we can do it by

direct e-mail, lots of sophisticated ways. Marketing into

new markets specifically targeting people can be a useful tool, but it

must be used carefully. With a tankers strike on hold until

after Easter, the industry is hoping its effect on visitor

numbers will be at a minimum. They returned to the more traditional

issue of the weather. 30 years ago today service

personnel and dockyard workers in the region were gearing up for war.

As Britain prepared to send a task force to the Falkland Islands after

the Argentine invasion, there was frantic activity at military bases

across the South West. At Devonport, workers prepared many of the ships

which were about to sail to the South Atlantic. Tonight in the

first of three special reports on Spotlight this week, David George

looks back at how the region prepared to play its part in

liberating the Falklands. The Government has now decided that

a large task force will sail as soon as all preparations are

complete. Across the South West, those

preparations were under way at a furious pace. Nimrods from St

Mawgan, helicopters from Montrose, Sea Harriers, naval vessels and

Royal Fleet eggs ill-at-ease -- auxiliaries from Devon port as well

as thousands of naval personnel. Pat Devonport work began to provide

stores for the Navy and refit much and chips.

Good in the week at the Atlantic conveyor has been in the debt --

Bogarde, around 400 civilians have been engaged strengthening her

decks, creating a hangar space and improving her communications. By

tonight she should be on her way to the South Atlantic and, in addition

to these helicopters, a complement of Harrier jump jets is expected to

join her on route. The Atlantic conveyor was also

expected to carry Chinook helicopters. Three were destroyed

weeks later when the ship was hit by an Argentinian Exocet missile.

Devonport refitted a dozen ships carrying out 400,000 ft of welding

in just eight days. 112 ships travelled south, amongst

them famous liners like the QE two. We were all sitting there relaxing

watching a movie when it suddenly stopped and the message came saying,

I am sorry, we have to tell you And for the first time in many,

many years, one of the Navy's best and biggest ships had been very

badly hit and three or four days later sank. That was the first time

we saw it was a serious war. And given part's owner was soon

emerged the casualties. HMS ardent and HMS Antelope were hit by

Argentine bombs. There was an explosion on board.

The fire started a midships and spread swiftly from the water line

to the main deck. Smoke could be seen drifting over the water and

fruit the searchlights of helicopters probed for survivors. -

- threw it to the Serbs might. Six weeks after the invasion,

British forces were fighting on the islands.

The berries were green for the Marines and red for the parachute

facility. We just couldn't resist the rhyming slang, the red and

green light machine. The blokes were happy that in this cold, but

hated, deserted place with no roads, if they were hurt, provided they

could survive the initial impact they were going to be all right.

They had to walk across the country, but, by the early summer, two-and-

a-half months after the invasion, the Union flag was raised in Port

Stanley. Argentina had surrendered. 255 British servicemen, 649

Argentinians and three islanders And during the course of this week

we will be looking at how the Falklands conflict affected some of

the military personnel who survived and whether our armed forces could

mount a similar operation today. It's time for the sport now and

Natalie has got the latest for us. Natalie and I had a real treat when

you are a way, because Dave Gibbins was in doing the sport, and he

called us the ladies. It was a real treat! He was loving it, wasn't he?

Truro City Football Club has been issued with a second winding up

order by HM Revenue and Customs. The Treyew Road club has to find

�51,000 in unpaid taxes. But owner Kevin Heaney says it will be paid

in full by the hearing date of April the 30th at the Royal Courts

of Justice. Their first winding up petition was for more than �100,000,

which was settled in January. A fairly positive weekend of

football with none of our sides losing. Exeter City's draw hasn't

done a huge amount to help their relegation battle, but Torquay are

snapping at the heels of League Two leaders Swindon. Plymouth Argyle

have at last opened up a small gap between them and the bottom two.

Our football pundit Chris Hargreaves has been looking back at

the action. There may be a promotion, maybe

survival, a big weekend. Wet start with Exeter. They did not do that

much to help themselves. 1-1, at much to help themselves. 1-1, at

least it was one point, though. No, it will be tough from now on.

This will not be pleasant viewing again. He does not get closed down,

a slotted finish, awful goal to concede. We discuss a lot of the

virtues of Exeter's performance, they do play a great football, but

it has not been enough this season. It could have been worse on the day.

Good solid goalkeeping of this, but it has been a struggle all season.

There was a bright sparks here with Jamie scoring a goal. We don't know

whether it is his goal but he certainly claim that. -- claimed it.

OK, League Two, Torquay, it is a cliche but the goals are flying.

Magnificent, it was. This was a penalty. Big pressure on the

penalty, he missed it, it was an off day for Torquay. It was a great

sign that they pulled through with a victory. Their diminutive winger,

Danny Stevens, just past it in. The fans and players were rewarded with

a great victory. He seemed so pleased.

I am not sure if this was a Valentine's, I don't know if they

were meeting up later on. A lovely couple at the end.

Also, moving on, Plymouth Argyle, they have done better.

Yes, they did have chances on the day but results are what matter.

This was a brilliant effort, nearly off the keeper, he did not know

anything about it. It has been fantastic form from Plymouth

recently. The victory was huge. A good save, again. The was a bit of

us grumble at the end. Yes, from the fans and players, no

doubt, but the result was all that mattered.

mattered. Thank you very much.

Back to League One now and Yeovil salvaged a point at Bournemouth

thanks to the heroics of goal keeper Sam Walker. The 20-year-old

keeper Sam Walker. The 20-year-old Chelsea loanee pulled off a string

of stunning saves to keep the game goalless at Dean Court. That's now

eight wins and two draws under Gary Johnson. Yeovil are now six points

clear of the relegation zone with six games remaining. Their next is

six games remaining. Their next is at home to Rochdale on Saturday.

Exeter Chiefs are looking good for a place in next seasons European

Heineken Cup after their latest triumph - an 18 points to 11 win

over London Irish at Sandy Park. A over London Irish at Sandy Park. A

try in the first half from lock James Hanks was added to in the

second period by Argentine wing Gonzalo Camacho, his first for the

Chiefs. It could have been more comfortable had Ignacio Mieres not

missed five penalty kicks. The result keeps Exeter fifth in the

The Cornish Pirates need one more win to reach the semi-finals of the

Championship title play-offs. A try from Phil Burgess and four Rob Cook

penalties helped them to a 17-14 win at Rotherham Titans which keeps

them second in their pool behind Bedford. Plymouth Albion will be

playing Championship rugby next season after securing their status

at London Scottish. Canadian Aaron Carpenter scored the only try to

beat the expats 11-6 in Richmond. Finally back to football, and on

Late Kick Off tonight Steve Fletcher - Plymouth's new signing -

is in the studio as one of the two main guests. They will also be

giving their take on the time Pele played at Home Park in the 1970s.

It is on quite late - 11.05pm. Some good results at the weekend.

Very good, yes. It is the sunshine.

What more can you want. A 10-year- old dyslexic boy from Cornwall is

celebrating after getting his first book published. Toby Berridge has

written about his life on a farm and according to his classmates it

could be a best seller. Eleanor As authors go, in two is pretty

young. Despite this, he is not fazed by his first book signing.

This is Toby's book. The interesting world of Toby's

farmyard machinery. By did you decided to write about

tractors? De because it is my hobby. I have

loads of tractors at home on my little toy farm and it is quite fun

to write about. Still, you have a real passion for

tractors, don't you? Yes.

It is easy to see where it will be got the inspiration for his book.

This is his farm where they have eight tractors and 600 cattle. What

makes this book so special is that we might is dyslexic and finds

reading and writing very difficult. What has been really nice is that

his confidence in having a goal has been absolutely fantastic, and that

is one of the biggest changes in a few months, from not liking the

reading and writing to writing his own book and thinking he can do it.

He has become an author! I think it is really good, because

all the pictures to match up with what he is insane.

Do you like tractors? I didn't like it before I read the

book, but now I am more into them. Judging by the way it has gone down,

they may have a print a few more copies.

They were all engrossed. Organisers of a cultural dance

event in Plymouth hope it will help break down racial differences. The

show was held at the university at the weekend. Spotlight's Emma

A flavour of the East here in the West, just one of 18 performances

showcasing dances from around the world at the Integration Through

Culture show. Travel but will achieve a greater

cultural awareness. Dance is something everyone can relate to

and music, so will hopefully everybody will be able to enjoy it

and take something away from it. You get to see all the different

costumes and cultural clothing, as well, so hopefully people will see

something in the street they have not seen before Unthank, we saw a

dance that was like that, and remember more positive things.

It is the fifth year the event has been held, and a whiff many more

performers taking Pat organisers say it has gone from strength to

strength. You're meeting people and enjoying

And all the people here hope that by using dance they can continue to

help break down cultural differences.

The BBC is celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee with a documentary

looking back at the many visits that Her Majesty has made to the

South West. And we're looking for your personal recollections, from

her first official visit in 1949 as Princess, to the Isles of Scilly in

1967, Geevor Mine in 1980 to the Devon County Show in 1995. When she

arrived at Exeter St David's train station that year she was presented

with a posy of flowers by a rather shy young girl. Is this you? So if

you've been lucky enough to meet the Queen please do get in touch,

you can email us at the usual It is they too have you back. You

had the most gorgeous weather last week. I was extremely lucky. There

week. I was extremely lucky. There is a real change this week, though.

Hello, it has not been a bad start to the week, decent temperatures,

but it will turn a lot colder, especially by midweek with biting

northerly winds. We have a cold front pushing down from tomorrow

onwards. Much colder air, with showers pushing in from the South

West. The likelihood is that the showers will bump into that cold

air. High pressure beds in on Wednesday and Thursday, distinctly

cold compared to this time last week. For tonight, generally

settled, showers pitching their way and from the West, quite chilly.

Even an ordinary areas we are looking at six-eight Celsius.

Tomorrow, we have showers coming in from the South West. On higher

levels a little snow or sleet, that will melt quite readily because the

ground is still warm from last week. Temperatures still around ten

Celsius, on low levels showers falling. The Marine forecast... The

strength of the winds will pick up as we go through the afternoon. For

the Isles of Scilly, generally it is not a bad picture Until showers

begin to spread in. Showers becoming wintry at times. For the

Channel Islands are little better, a bright and sunny start, and the

rest of the rain not showing its hand until later on. We are looking

at a drier picture for the rest of the week, but Wednesday and

Thursday temperatures well down on last week with the cold winds.

Milder at the end of the week, I have not mentioned rain because

apart from the precipitation in the showers tomorrow there is none of