A £1 million German-built wind turbine has been left to burn itself to destruction after being hit by a lightning strike in Cambridgeshire.
Turbulent summer heat storms led to several lightning strikes across southern England in the past 48 hours – including the strike at at Ransonmoor wind farm, near Doddington.
Former fireman David Oldale, who woke up to receive a phone call from his daughter who lives in a farm house next door to the wind turbine, said: “I would leave it, it’s too dangerous, I’d let it go.
“It started in the motor room where the turbine is at several hundred feet.
“It’s gradually burning down the tower; all the bits are dropping off.
“The fire crews are still here and I think they are going to let it burnt out, because there’s nothing else they can do really.”
Ransonmoor wind farm is located in the Fens of Cambridgeshire. The Fenpower project generates enough power each year to supply the electricity needs of 6,600 UK homes.
Firefighters were called to the blaze at the top of the turbine in Benwick Road, Doddington. Parts of the 292-ft turbine have broken off, with debris scattered in the area
But there was no danger to the public, the local fire and rescue service said.
1 Jun 2018
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