BREAKING! Major fire at UK Power plant.

Just saw this on Sky news could develop into something interesting over the next few hours so thought it would be worth posting looks like a pretty big fire.

A major fire has broken out at the Didcot Power Station in Oxfordshire.

The blaze began in one of the gas-fired cooling stations at the Oxfordshire plant.

Twelve fire engines, 65 firefighters and three hydraulic platforms have been sent to the site.

Thames Valley Police have advised residents to close windows and remain inside their properties.

Sky News

Friends in Didcot tell me its under control now, although they expect traffic problems getting on to the A34 in the morning.

a reply to: OtherSideOfTheCoin

12 engine response, yeah certainly sounds like a pretty big one.

Looks like they have it under control though, according to the article.

I'm sure a small amount of research could answer this, but the idea of "gas fired cooling" seems backwards to me.

a reply to: TheBlackTiger

Didcot has a gas fired and an oil fired power stations - www.theguardian.com... is reported as being in one of the cooling towers of het gas fired section.

Not nuclear, whew…

Wiki Linky

Twenty appliances now.

It's about 23 miles from here, the air outdoors smells a bit smoky.

www.bbc.co.uk...

Wow! That's a big fire! Anyone injured ?

a reply to: Meldionne1

None reported and they say it's under control now.

a reply to: OtherSideOfTheCoin

didcots coal fired station was decomissioned and they have started dismantling it. won't be able to step into the breech.

a reply to: TheBlackTiger

The power plant's boiler can be "fired" by either oil or natural gas. The boiler then when fired turns the water into steam which drives the turbine. The turbine is connected to a generator which produces electricity. The cooling tower cools water that is then used to cool the discharge of the turbine a little like a radiator cools the engine of a car. There is no gas in the cooling tower.

Cooling towers are typically constructed of wood and are a major fire hazard, particularly when they are out of service for maintenance. They are also a long lead item to rebuild so the output capability of this power plant will be significantly degraded for awhile.

originally posted by: theabsolutetruth
a reply to: Meldionne1

None reported and they say it's under control now.

That's good to hear!

GL and have fun my EURO FF brothers.