This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-49071456
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Andover Ocado warehouse fire: 'Staff turned off sprinklers' | Andover Ocado warehouse fire: 'Staff turned off sprinklers' |
(about 7 hours later) | |
A fire that destroyed an Ocado warehouse spread because a detection system failed and staff turned off the sprinklers, a report has found. | |
The distribution centre for the online food retailer in Andover, Hampshire, burned for four days in February. | The distribution centre for the online food retailer in Andover, Hampshire, burned for four days in February. |
Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority's report found there was an hour's delay in dialling 999 and staff initially tried to tackle the blaze themselves. | Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority's report found there was an hour's delay in dialling 999 and staff initially tried to tackle the blaze themselves. |
Ocado said it was undertaking a "thorough examination" of the causes. | |
Earlier this month the firm, which aims to rebuild the facility, said the fire had cost it £100m. | Earlier this month the firm, which aims to rebuild the facility, said the fire had cost it £100m. |
It plans to cut 400 jobs as a result of the blaze, which investigators said was caused by an electrical fault in a battery charging unit which caused a plastic lid on top of a grocery-carrying robot to catch light. | It plans to cut 400 jobs as a result of the blaze, which investigators said was caused by an electrical fault in a battery charging unit which caused a plastic lid on top of a grocery-carrying robot to catch light. |
The latest fire service report found the fire started at 01:41 GMT on 5 February but the fire detection system "did not detect the fire as designed" so it was first spotted by an engineer at 02:15. | The latest fire service report found the fire started at 01:41 GMT on 5 February but the fire detection system "did not detect the fire as designed" so it was first spotted by an engineer at 02:15. |
The sprinkler system started operating 11 minutes later but was then turned off by Ocado engineers for five minutes which led to a "significant" growth in the fire. | The sprinkler system started operating 11 minutes later but was then turned off by Ocado engineers for five minutes which led to a "significant" growth in the fire. |
Once staff realised the fire was not being extinguished they turned the sprinklers back on and finally dialled 999. | Once staff realised the fire was not being extinguished they turned the sprinklers back on and finally dialled 999. |
The report added early intervention "was not achievable" due to the delay. It added the "system failure and human factors" were "contributory to the eventual outcome". | The report added early intervention "was not achievable" due to the delay. It added the "system failure and human factors" were "contributory to the eventual outcome". |
A full report is due to be published in September. | A full report is due to be published in September. |
More than 30,000 orders - 10% of Ocado's capacity - were processed by robots at the warehouse each week. | More than 30,000 orders - 10% of Ocado's capacity - were processed by robots at the warehouse each week. |
The company previously said it has introduced additional localised smoke detectors at its other centres, removed the plastic lid on its robots and added heat sensors. | The company previously said it has introduced additional localised smoke detectors at its other centres, removed the plastic lid on its robots and added heat sensors. |
It also said "all efforts are being made to minimise the disruption to consumers", including by opening a temporary centre in Andover. |
Previous version
1
Next version