2008 Channel Tunnel fire

Non-fatal train fire March 2024 March 2012 October 2020 2008 Channel Tunnel fire 2008 Channel Fire (1) en.svg 270px Location of the 2008 Channel Tunnel fire 11 September 2008 13:57 UTC Channel Tunnel north west Coquelles 11 between United Kingdom and France Eurotunnel Fire 1 32 2 0 14 Substantial damage to tunnel infrastructure On 11 September 2008, a France-bound Eurotunnel Shuttle train carrying heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and their drivers caught fire while travelling through the Channel Tunnel. The fire lasted for sixteen hours and reached temperatures of up to 1000 C.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2800485/Channel-Tunnel-closed-after-freight-train-fire.html Channel Tunnel closed after freight train fire 11 September 2008 The Daily Telegraph London Gordon Rayner David Millward Aislinn Simpson 11 September 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080912105306/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2800485/Channel-Tunnel-closed-after-freight-train-fire.html 12 September 2008 live Of the 32 people aboard the train, 14 suffered minor injuries, including smoke inhalation, and were taken to the hospital. When the fire was reported, the tunnel was immediately shut to all services except emergency traffic. The undamaged south tunnel reopened on 13 September; a freight train entered the tunnel at Folkestone at 00:08 BST and limited service began, with trains travelling in turn in alternating directions in the south tunnel. By the end of September, two-thirds of the north tunnel had reopened. Full service resumed in February 2009, after the completion of repairs costing €60 million. The fire was the third to force the tunnel's closure since its opening in 1994,http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/news/2009/may/5/the_channel_tunnel_fire_2008.aspx How the 2008 fire changed Channel Tunnel history 5 May 2009 20 May 2009 KentOnline https://archive.today/20130421012831/http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/news/2009/may/5/the_channel_tunnel_fire_2008.aspx 21 April 2013 live the first being the 1996 Channel Tunnel fire, the second an August 2006 fire that broke out on a truck aboard a HGV Shuttle, shutting the tunnel down for several hours. Fire The fire was reported on 11 September 2008, at approximately 13:57 UTChttps://www.ft.com/content/ad05c7e6-8062-11dd-99a9-000077b07658 Channel tunnel fire causes further cancellations Robert Wright 12 September 2008 Financial Times 12 September 2008 13 September 2008 https://archive.today/20080913210928/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ad05c7e6-8062-11dd-99a9-000077b07658.html dead (14:57 BST / 15:57 CEST) in the North Tunnel 11 km from the French tunnel entrance. The shuttle was carrying 27 vehicles,12 September 2008 Channel Tunnel disruption goes on BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7611622.stm live 12 September 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080912193738/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7611622.stm 12 September 2008 and the blaze spread to other trucks during the evening, destroying six carriages and one locomotive. The fire continued to burn overnighthttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2799349/Channel-Tunnel-closed-after-reported-fire.html Channel Tunnel closed after reported fire 11 September 2008 The Daily Telegraph London David Millward 11 September 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080913212634/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2799349/Channel-Tunnel-closed-after-reported-fire.html 13 September 2008 live and was reported to have been put out by 06:00 UTC the following day, although fire crews continued to smother nearby minor fires for a further two hours.https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/tunnel-blaze-still-burning-as-chaos-continues-927409.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/tunnel-blaze-still-burning-as-chaos-continues-927409.html 1 May 2022 subscription live Tunnel blaze finally out but chaos continues 12 September 2008 The Independent London 12 September 2008 More than 300 firefighters from both sides of the English Channel helped tackle the blaze,http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/09/11/europe/EU-France-Channel-Tunnel-Fire.php Fire breaks out in Channel Tunnel 11 September 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080914175038/http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/09/11/europe/EU-France-Channel-Tunnel-Fire.php 14 September 2008 live supported by emergency services from East and West Sussex, London and Essex. thumb|250px|A simple cross-section view of the Channel Tunnel facing towards the UK The 32 people on board the train were led to safety down a separate service tunnel; fourteen suffered minor injuries, including smoke inhalation, and were taken to the hospital. A lorry thought to be carrying 100 kg of phenol (carbolic acid), a toxic product used in the pharmaceutical industry, was initially believed to be close to the seat of the fire; however, it only carried 100 g.Technical Investigation Report p85 Eyewitness accounts state that two loud bangs, described as explosions, were heard before thick smoke swept through the carriage. The train came to a grinding halt and the lights went out. Further eyewitness accounts suggest that the emergency exit was jammed, and that one passenger smashed a window with a hammer to climb out. The temperature in the tunnel was described as "very hot".https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2008/sep/12/transport.channeltunnel1 Channel tunnel fire worst in service's history 12 September 2008 The Guardian London Dan Milmo 12 September 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080915031033/http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/sep/12/transport.channeltunnel1 15 September 2008 live About 650 m of tunnel were damaged by the fire, 50% more than during the November 1996 fire.Today's Railways UK February 2009 Aftermath Tunnel closure and reopening Eurotunnel initially announced that all services would be suspended until 14 September; however, an inspection uncovered no damage to the south tunnel, and empty test shuttles were trialled during the evening of 12 September. A freight train was permitted to enter the tunnel in the early morning hours of 13 September, https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2008/sep/13/transport.channeltunnel1 Channel tunnel fire : Eurostar resumes limited services Jones Sam 13 September 2008 The Guardian 4 September 2014 and limited Eurostar services resumed at 06:00 BST that morning, with 18 services in each direction, including a return journey from London to Disneyland Paris.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7613632.stm Channel train services resuming 12 September 2008 BBC News 13 September 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080913064715/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7613632.stm 13 September 2008 live Some passengers arriving at St Pancras Station reported smelling smoke whilst travelling through the tunnel.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7613632.stm Channel trains resume after fire 12 September 2008 BBC News 13 September 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080915050715/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7613632.stm 15 September 2008 live A limited passenger shuttle service restarted on 14 September with the 06:18 BST from Folkestone.https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601102&sid=axE4wjVBKNMc&refer=uk Channel Tunnel Restarts Passenger Shuttles; Increases Capacity 14 September 2008 Bloomberg 14 September 2008 Services were increased when the section of the north tunnel was reopened from Folkestone to the UK crossover on 22 September,Increase in traffic through Channel Tunnel follows opening of 17 km section of North Tunnel (Eurotunnel) http://www.eurotunnel.com/ukcP3Main/ukcCorporate/ukcMediaCentre/ukcNewsReleases/ukcNews2008/ukcSeptember2008/ukpPr0908Opening17KmSectionNorthTunnel.htm 21 September 2008 23 January 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090217214438/http://www.eurotunnel.com/ukcP3Main/ukcCorporate/ukcMediaCentre/ukcNewsReleases/ukcNews2008/ukcSeptember2008/ukpPr0908Opening17KmSectionNorthTunnel.htm 17 February 2009 live and again on 29 September when the tunnel between the crossovers was brought back into service.Further increase in traffic capacity in the Channel Tunnel (Eurotunnel) http://www.eurotunnel.com/ukcP3Main/ukcCorporate/ukcMediaCentre/ukcNewsReleases/ukcNews2008/ukcSeptember2008/ukpPr0809Opening2ndSection.htm 29 September 2008 23 January 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090217214433/http://www.eurotunnel.com/ukcP3Main/ukcCorporate/ukcMediaCentre/ukcNewsReleases/ukcNews2008/ukcSeptember2008/ukpPr0809Opening2ndSection.htm 17 February 2009 live While the final sixth of the tunnel was being repaired, trains were limited to 100 km/h by the Intergovernmental Commission. Service levels were reduced so that only 90% of Eurostar services, 60% of Eurotunnel passenger vehicle shuttles and 70% of the HGV shuttles were able to run, costing Eurotunnel an estimated £185 million (€200 million) in lost revenue.ITV Local News 28 January 2009 Channel Tunnel Update http://www.itvlocal.com/meridian/news/?void=281337 29 January 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090218123035/http://www.itvlocal.com/meridian/news/?void=281337 18 February 2009 live Tunnel repair Repair works were estimated at 60 million no. On 18 October, the investigation authority released the damaged section of tunnel back to Eurotunnel,http://www.eurotunnel.com/ukcP3Main/ukcCorporate/ukcMediaCentre/ukcNewsReleases/ukcNews2009/ukcJanuary2009/ukpPr0901Channel-Tunnel-Full-Capacity.htm Channel Tunnel back to full capacity during night of 9–10 February Eurotunnel 22 January 2009 19 January 2009 which then assessed the tunnel lining and replaced over one thousand bolts holding the concrete lining. The damaged concrete was then removed with high pressure water jets, damage to the reinforcing steel mesh was repaired, and a new concrete lining applied through a shotcreting process. The process used about 4000 tonnes of new concrete and was completed in early January 2009. During the remainder of January, tunnel equipment was repaired and replaced as necessary, with the installation of overhead line equipment on 28 January. After test runs were carried out, Eurotunnel reopened on 9 February 2009.http://www.eurotunnel.com/ukcP3Main/ukcCorporate/ukcMediaCentre/ukcNewsReleases/ukcNews2009/ukcFebruary2009/ukpPr0902Eurotunnel-back-to-full-capacity.htm Eurotunnel fully open to traffic 9 February 2009 10 February 2009 Eurotunnel https://web.archive.org/web/20090223215412/http://www.eurotunnel.com/ukcP3Main/ukcCorporate/ukcMediaCentre/ukcNewsReleases/ukcNews2009/ukcFebruary2009/ukpPr0902Eurotunnel-back-to-full-capacity.htm 23 February 2009 live Eurotunnel response When the train stopped in the tunnel due to a fire, the procedure was that the smoke had to be removed by the high powered ventilation before an evacuation could be allowed. However, when the train came to a halt, people saw the smoke and some panicked, broke a window and started evacuating on their own. The evacuation procedure is now shown in nine languages in the lorry driver's club car. Eurotunnel was also concerned because it took 75 minutes before the fire services started to tackle the blaze and that the ventilation was on during this time, fanning the fire and increasing the damage.Railway Gazette Eurotunnel seeks safety changes http://www.railwaygazette.com/ur_single/article/2008/12/9225/eurotunnel_seeks_safety_changes.html 29 January 2009 23 December 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20090225211616/http://www.railwaygazette.com/ur_single/article/2008/12/9225/eurotunnel_seeks_safety_changes.html 25 February 2009 dead After tests in April 2010, Eurotunnel built four "fire-fighting stations" in the tunnel. When a fire is detected on a train, it continues to the next station, where passengers and crew are evacuated into the service tunnel while an automatic system puts the fire out with water mist. These stations became operational in autumn 2011http://www.eurotunnel.com/NR/rdonlyres/E16EF7C1-7D76-423E-B5AD-19ADA92B4493/0/100430ETOnTrackApril2010.pdf Eurotunnel on Track April 2010 EurotunnelSeptember 2016 medicmedic and were tested in January 2012.Eurotunnel demonstrates effectiveness of new SAFE stations http://www.eurotunnelgroup.com/uploadedFiles/assets-uk/Media/Press-Releases/2012-Press-Releases/120116Eurotunnel-demonstrates-effectiveness-of-new-SAFE-stations.pdf 16 January 2012 3 July 2012 Eurotunnel 7 August 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140807085038/http://www.eurotunnelgroup.com/uploadedFiles/assets-uk/Media/Press-Releases/2012-Press-Releases/120116Eurotunnel-demonstrates-effectiveness-of-new-SAFE-stations.pdf dead Investigation The investigation was led by the French Land Transport Accident Investigation Bureau (fr Bureau d'Enquêtes sur les Accidents de Transport Terrestre) and supported by the British Rail Accident Investigation Branch. The report was published on 22 November 2010.http://www.raib.gov.uk/publications/investigation_reports/reports_2010/reportet2010.cfm Fire on a freight shuttle train in the channel tunnel RAIB and BEA-TT 22 November 2010 22 November 2010 See also United Kingdom France 1996 Channel Tunnel fire Channel Tunnel Safety Authority List of transportation fires References http://www.raib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/101122_ReportET2010_eurotunnel_eng.pdf Technical Investigation Report BEA-TT & RAIB joint November 2010 22 November 2010 External links Fire on a freight shuttle train in the Channel Tunnel – a joint report by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (UK) and the Bureau d’Enquêtes sur les Accidents de Transport Terrestre (France) ARUP view on the fire collapsed 50.97 N 1.66 E title type:event Category:Fires in England Category:Fires in France Category:Railway accidents in 2008 Category:2008 in France Fire 2008 Category:Train and rapid transit fires in Europe Category:Tunnel fires Category:2008 fires in Europe Category:2000s fires in the United Kingdom Category:2008 in England Category:September 2008 in Europe Category:Railway accidents and incidents in England Category:2008 disasters in France Category:2008 disasters in the United Kingdom Category:September 2008 in the United Kingdom