Third Pole Fire & Third Accident of Day

[Updated] In what seems a steady stream of small calamities caught by our cameras today [Jan 3], this evening a Radnor Road electrical pole caught fire, marking the second fire of an East End electrical pole in the past few hours. The power to the area shut off, causing area residents to temporarily plunge into darkness.

Two fire trucks responded at approximately 7:50pm and swiftly put out the fire. One truck left shortly after arrival to attend an accident in the Suffering Lane area of St George’s – the exact same area that had a pole fire earlier today. The BELCO truck that was responding to the damaged pole could be seen in the immediate background of the accident. The male motorcyclist was injured [not life threatening] and taken to hospital via ambulance, while the bike received moderate front end damage.

The first pole fire occurred at approximately 4:30pm today in same Suffering Lane area  in St George’s. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, which you can view a video of here. In addition to the St George’s motorbike accident today, a car flipped on Harrington Sound Road, while another car crashed onto a sidewalk on Middle Road in Warwick.

Update 9:40pm: Official information from BELCO in the Radnor Road incident, said “Majority of the circuit is back on at 20:41 hrs (8:41 pm). with the exception of Radnor Road branchline. Pole #SN-13 at Radnor Road is burnt up at the top and needs replacing. Faulty section of the circuit has been isolated to carry out repairs.”

This information from BELCO relates to a pole fire in Somerset – making the third for the day: “Naval Annex circuit #530 tripped at 18:01 (6:01 pm) hrs. Crew reported pole fire on pole #O-59 at Scaur Hill with pole top and cross arm burnt up. The pole needs replacing; crews and Records & Technical Services have been mobilized to get a new pole issued, hole dug up and to install a new pole. Part of the circuit between pole #O-50 and pole #O-41 has been backfed from Somerset circuit #287 to provide power.”

A BELCO spokesperson said “As for the cause, it is definitely weather-related. Consistent high wind gusts in recent weeks have slackened wires in some parts of the network, making them more prone to clash together. Rain and clashing of conductors near to a pole can cause pole fire; this is common following major storms and severe wind conditions. Of course, the past few weeks have been seen numerous days and nights of high winds.”

“Major repair work will be scheduled, starting ASAP. We will announce schedules, as we all return to routine, starting tomorrow. Crews have worked throughout the holidays, through weather that has been severe much of the time, as everyone knows.”

Update Jan 4, 6am: BELCO said all of the Radnor Rd customers were restored at 1:53 am, and all of the Naval Annex customers at 4:11 am. The latter involved putting up a complete new pole, which is very labour intensive.

#Electricity #Fires #PoleFires

Category: Accidents and fires, All, News