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Didcot demolition waves goodbye to historic power station towers Didcot demolition waves goodbye to historic power station towers
(about 3 hours later)
In a cloud of smoke and with a thunderous blast, three historic towers have been demolished after dominating an English town's skyline for more than four decades. In a cloud of smoke and with a thunderous blast, three historic towers were demolished on Sunday after dominating an English town's skyline for more than four decades.
The three southern towers of Didcot A power station in Oxfordshire were brought down in seconds by more than 180kg of explosives. The three southern towers at Didcot A power station in Oxfordshire were brought down in seconds by more than 180kg of explosives.
Hundreds of locals are thought to have defied the guidance issued by power company RWE npower to stay away from the site and watch the demolition via a webcam livestream. Hundreds of locals are thought to have defied the guidance, issued by the power company RWE npower, to stay away from the site and watch the demolition via a webcam livestream.
The decision to demolish the towers in the early hours of the morning angered some locals, with a petition to change the timing gaining more than 3,000 signatures. The decision to demolish the towers in the early hours of the morning angered some locals, and a petition to change the timing gained more than 3,000 signatures.
The town council had also expressed its disappointment but npower said the timeslot between 3am and 5am had been chosen on health and safety grounds, taking into account the risk of people getting too close to the explosion, and the impact of the dust cloud on local roads and a nearby rail line. The town council had also expressed its disappointment, but npower said the timeslot between 3am and 5am had been chosen on health and safety grounds, taking into account the risk of people getting too close to the explosion, and the impact of the dust cloud on local roads and a nearby rail line.
Warning sirens were sounded 15 and then 10 minutes before the explosion at 5am.Warning sirens were sounded 15 and then 10 minutes before the explosion at 5am.
During the buildup to the explosion #DidcotDemolition was trending on Twitter, and one Oxfordshire resident said: "This has gotta be Didcot's most momentous occasion since we won the FA vase". During the buildup to the explosion, #DidcotDemolition was trending on Twitter, and one Oxfordshire resident said: "This has gotta be Didcot's most momentous occasion since we won the FA vase."
As many as 1,500 people gathered at nearby Wittenham Clumps to watch the action unfold, the Oxford Mail reported in a liveblog on its website.As many as 1,500 people gathered at nearby Wittenham Clumps to watch the action unfold, the Oxford Mail reported in a liveblog on its website.
For those who chose to watch the demolition online there were some technological gripes. One local tweeted: "The demolition cam is very intermittent … what are the odds it's offline at the crucial moment? #DidcotDemolition."For those who chose to watch the demolition online there were some technological gripes. One local tweeted: "The demolition cam is very intermittent … what are the odds it's offline at the crucial moment? #DidcotDemolition."
The coal-fired power station ceased generating in March last year after dominating the skyline around the town since 1970, with the neighbouring gas-fired Didcot B continuing. The coal-fired power station ceased generating electricity in March last year after dominating the skyline around the town since 1970. The neighbouring gas-fired Didcot B is still in operation.
The towers' appearance was not universally appreciated, with many people finding them an eyesore.The towers' appearance was not universally appreciated, with many people finding them an eyesore.
Following the demolition some of those who had watched it described it as "epic", "pretty dramatic to watch" and "strangely emotional". Following the demolition some of those who had watched it described it as epic, pretty dramatic and strangely emotional.
Mark Coleman, managing director of specialist demolition firm, Coleman & Company said it had been job well done. Mark Coleman, the managing director of the demolition firm, Coleman & Company, said it had been job well done.
He tweeted: "#DidcotDemolition well done to all involved. A professional textbook job. Thank you to all the locals. I hope you enjoyed it."He tweeted: "#DidcotDemolition well done to all involved. A professional textbook job. Thank you to all the locals. I hope you enjoyed it."