Today marks the Channel Tunnel fire anniversary
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by Gary Kirk
A year ago today a blaze ripped through the Channel Tunnel that
was so intense it took three months and £50million to repair.
Now, 12 months on, we are just days away from finding the
answers to what caused the destruction.
The fire started during the afternoon of September 11 2008 on a
train carrying freight vehicles about seven miles from the
French entrance at Coquelles.
The repair work was estimated to take at least six months, but
was completed in just three. The north tunnel was fully re-opened
in February of this year with a ceremony attended by Geoff Hoon,
the transport secretary at the time.
At the same time, a service from Ashford to Brussels which had
been due to start last December, was re-introduced.
John Keef, Eurotunnel
spokesman, explains how the fire happened
The Channel Tunnel Safety Authority has since been investigating
how to prevent further incidents.
Eurotunnel spokesman John Keef says the company has been
planning how "fire suppression systems", fire-fighting arrangements
and loading procedures can be implemented and improved.
Eurotunnel has already developed a prototype for such a
suppression system.
Folkestone and Hythe MP Michael Howard said: "It's very
important that everything that can be done to make the Channel
Tunnel safe is done".
An investigation was launched and the results are expected to be
announced this month.
Thursday, September 10 2009
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