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Fire at Didcot Power Station in Oxfordshire 'under control' says fire chief | Fire at Didcot Power Station in Oxfordshire 'under control' says fire chief |
(about 14 hours later) | |
A major fire broke out at Didcot Power Station in Oxfordshire on Sunday night, with flames seen pouring from at least two of its cooling towers. | A major fire broke out at Didcot Power Station in Oxfordshire on Sunday night, with flames seen pouring from at least two of its cooling towers. |
People living nearby were advised to keep their windows and doors closed by Thames Valley Police. | People living nearby were advised to keep their windows and doors closed by Thames Valley Police. |
Steve Shadbolt, who lives nearby, told the Oxford Mail: “I looked across at the power station and there was this bright light. I got my camera and zoomed in and realised one of the towers was alight. | Steve Shadbolt, who lives nearby, told the Oxford Mail: “I looked across at the power station and there was this bright light. I got my camera and zoomed in and realised one of the towers was alight. |
“It burnt so fiercely that it spread to the next one. It's now dying down. At the time it was quite a blaze but just seems to be embers now. I imagine the fire service have got everything under control.” | “It burnt so fiercely that it spread to the next one. It's now dying down. At the time it was quite a blaze but just seems to be embers now. I imagine the fire service have got everything under control.” |
He took a photograph that showed clouds of thick black smoke billowing up from a fire that was higher than two towers on either side. The Thames Valley force said on twitter: “Police assisting fire service at scene of fire at Didcot power station B. Nearby residents advised keep windows and doors closed.” | |
The power station, which burns natural gas, supplies electricity to up to a million homes, according to operator RWE npower. | The power station, which burns natural gas, supplies electricity to up to a million homes, according to operator RWE npower. |
Some on Twitter worried about whether the smoke would pose a health risk. | Some on Twitter worried about whether the smoke would pose a health risk. |
“Everyone is worried about Didcot burning, hang on what if the wind is coming towards Sutton,” tweeted OwenKingg19. | “Everyone is worried about Didcot burning, hang on what if the wind is coming towards Sutton,” tweeted OwenKingg19. |
Such was the scale of the blaze that as well as crews from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, firefighters from neighbouring services have also been drafted in. | Such was the scale of the blaze that as well as crews from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, firefighters from neighbouring services have also been drafted in. |
Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed one of its turntable ladders from High Wycombe Fire Station, some 30 miles from Didcot, has been called in to assist. | Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed one of its turntable ladders from High Wycombe Fire Station, some 30 miles from Didcot, has been called in to assist. |
As firefighters tackled the major blaze, onlookers posted pictures of the power station with orange flames stretching in to the night sky. | As firefighters tackled the major blaze, onlookers posted pictures of the power station with orange flames stretching in to the night sky. |
Simon Perry tweeted "power station tonight ... stay safe all, challenging job!" | Simon Perry tweeted "power station tonight ... stay safe all, challenging job!" |
Didcot B, which opened in 1997, is one of a new generation of highly efficient, gas-burning power stations which uses the latest generating technology to produce electricity. Didcot A was demolished earlier this year. | Didcot B, which opened in 1997, is one of a new generation of highly efficient, gas-burning power stations which uses the latest generating technology to produce electricity. Didcot A was demolished earlier this year. |
Late on Sunday, Dave Etheridge, chief fire officer of Oxfordshire Fire Service, told Sky News that the fire was under control. | Late on Sunday, Dave Etheridge, chief fire officer of Oxfordshire Fire Service, told Sky News that the fire was under control. |
“There is absolutely no risk to the public from the smoke plume and we are confident there will be no effect on electricity,” he said. | “There is absolutely no risk to the public from the smoke plume and we are confident there will be no effect on electricity,” he said. |
"It was a very serious fire and we are working very hard in very difficult conditions. Thankfully we have had no reports of injuries. | "It was a very serious fire and we are working very hard in very difficult conditions. Thankfully we have had no reports of injuries. |
"We are very hopefully we will be able to scale back the operation shortly." | "We are very hopefully we will be able to scale back the operation shortly." |
He added that the fire service works closely with the management of the site carrying out regular exercises together to prepare for serious incidents. | He added that the fire service works closely with the management of the site carrying out regular exercises together to prepare for serious incidents. |
"What they did very quickly was to shut down the site so it stops supplying electricity to the National Grid,” he said. | "What they did very quickly was to shut down the site so it stops supplying electricity to the National Grid,” he said. |
A spokesman for National Grid said: “We’re aware of the incident and in contact with the station operator RWE. There has been no immediate operational impact on the electricity system.” | A spokesman for National Grid said: “We’re aware of the incident and in contact with the station operator RWE. There has been no immediate operational impact on the electricity system.” |
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