10391 Channel Tunnel Closed Because of Fire

Considering the date, I bet THAT sent a few shivers down the spines of the emergency services....

Looks as though it will be closed for a while - fire still burning on Friday morning

I keep seeing reports that the fire started when a truck carrying phenol overturned 11 km from the French tunnel entrance. OVERTURNED? How the....?

[quote=Nardini;96673]I keep seeing reports that the fire started when a truck carrying phenol overturned 11 km from the French tunnel entrance. OVERTURNED? How the....?[/quote]

It's probable that it overturned after the fire started - unless there was something like the suspension collapsed [although I think the fire would is still the most likely cause the collapse].

What I wonder about is;- Why do they carry 'dangerous goods' in the tunnel, as if anything goes wrong, the confined space causes problems [this is one of the problems with dealing with the fire in this phenol tanker].

I know if it catches fire on a ferry there would also be problems, but if 'dangerous good' were restricted to freight only ferries [with suitable emergency equipment], I'd feel a lot safer.

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With the fire now out and the technical examiners able to make their initial assessments, the news for the Channel Tunnel is not looking so good. After the initial reports of a small fire, affecting just one, then three trucks (including the one carrying phenol), it now seems to be a very substantial fire indeed, given that there seem to have been 27 trucks substantially damaged by the fire that was burning at over 1000° C.

There is around 700 metres of one of the two tunnels damaged so severely that the French engineers are estimating that repair will take several months to complete. The other tunnel is, fortunately, undamaged so limited services will be in force for the foreseeable future - or the next few month, as you prefer.

The upshot will be that it will be far more difficult to just "turn up" on the day and travel on the next train running, as the next train (probably the next few trains) will be already booked up.

If you use the Channel Tunnel on a reasonably regular basis, it is going to be important to plan - and book - ahead, if your travel plans are not to include some unscheduled stop-overs whilst waiting for your train. I don't expect that the passenger service will be as affected though, as the passenger car service, as train timetables will obviously take priority for a while - in my opinion, anyway.

There is still much speculation as to the cause of the fire though - especially, as CaroleB pointed out earlier, given the date the fire started, as well as the reported explosions heard.

Sounds pretty stupid to allow a cargo of highly flammable chemicals on board, but wont allow ordinary punters on with l.p.g conversionson their cars!!!

Back open limited service.