June 5, 2015
England

Wind farm fire: Investigation launched into turbine blaze

By Bianca Murray | Manchester Evening news | 4 June 2015 | www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

An investigation has begun into the cause of a wind turbine fire.

Glenmont Partners, who own the Todmorden Moor wind farm site have asked the public to stay away from the site while technicians conduct an investigation.

A spokesperson for the company said: “Following the turbine fire at Todmorden Moor Wind Farm yesterday, technicians from the turbine manufacturer are now on site and an investigation is underway.

“At present power to and from all of the turbines is switched off.

“As a further precautionary measure a 300 metre exclusion zone has been set up around the damaged turbine.

“Given the expected increase in wind speeds in the coming days, we ask the public to stay away from the designated area for their own safety.

“We fully respect the valued right-to-roam access to land around the site and would like to reassure the public that we will reopen the area as soon as it is safe to do so.

“We would like to thank the emergency services for their efforts during and after the incident and the public for their co-operation whilst we carry out our investigation.

“Over the coming days, the affected turbine will be analysed by the manufacturer’s experts to determine the cause of the fire.

“Once the results are known, we will issue a further announcement to explain what steps are necessary to return the wind farm to full operation.”

Firefighters were called to tackle the burning structure on Todmorden Moor on the border between Rossendale and West Yorkshire in the early hours of Wednesday, June 3.

Crews from Bacup and West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service were scrambled to the flaming turbine, off Flower Scar Road at 3.45am.

Renewable Energy Systems, (RES) who manage the site on behalf of Glenmont said incidents like this are extremely rare.

A spokesperson for RES said: “A fire broke out in a turbine at Todmorden Moor Wind Farm.

“The fire service attended the site, but the fire extinguished itself.

“No one was hurt in the incident and as a precaution an exclusion zone has been set up around the turbine.

“Incidents like this are extremely rare and a full investigation into its cause has commenced.”

The company operates a number of wind farms across the UK.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/06/05/wind-farm-fire-investigation-launched-into-turbine-blaze/