April 26, 2022
England

Exclusion zone set up as wind turbine bursts into flames

An investigation into the fire is under way | By Oliver Pridmore, Trainee reporter & Richard Blackledge | 25 APR 2022 | www.derbytelegraph.co.uk

A 100-metre-tall wind turbine has dramatically burst into flames, sending black smoke billowing into the sky. An investigation into the fire is now underway.

An exclusion zone had to be set up while firefighters tackled the blaze. Residents living near the scene were also warned to keep their windows closed.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue first shared news about the incident at around 5.45pm on Sunday, April 24. The incident took place at French Farm Wind Farm in the village of Thorney near Spalding, LincolnshireLive reports.

There are a total of 13 turbines at the site. The wind farm has a total capacity of 26MW, having become fully operational in 2016.

Pictures show long trails of black smoke coming from the burning turbine. Lincolnshire firefighters handed the operation over to Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, which said the cause of the fire was believed to be accidental and related to an equipment failure.

Cambridgeshire firefighters left the scene at 10.40pm. A crew returned to reinspect the site on Monday morning before it was handed over to the company behind French Farm Wind Farm.

A spokesperson for the wind farm said: “On Sunday evening we received a report of a turbine fire at French Farm Wind Farm. Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue attended the wind farm and ensured the site was safe.

“The power to and from the turbines was switched off and a precautionary exclusion zone has been set up. There are no injuries and we would like to thank the fire service for their assistance.

“An investigation is now underway. The affected turbine will be analysed by the manufacturer’s experts to determine the cause of the fire.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2022/04/26/exclusion-zone-set-up-as-wind-turbine-bursts-into-flames/