The fire in the Lopik transmission tower in IJsselstein yesterday is thought to have been caused by overheated cables, according to the director of owner NOVEC in an interview with NOS. “We have concluded that a number of cables become overheated and partially burned. We now assume that was the cause, but the experts have yet to confirm it,” sad Jan Willem Tom. It is hoped to bring the Lopik facility back into service by the end of the weekend.
NOVEC cannot say anything yet about the cause of the fire and partial collapse of the tower in Smilde. The police must first complete their investigation before the company is allowed access to the tower. However, there is not thought to be a link between the two fires, merely a bizarre coincidence. “The towers have been there for more than fifty years, so it’s strange that suddenly there’s a fire in two of them on the same day. The first thing you think is that there must be a link between the two fires, but so far we have no evidence to suggest it,” said the director.
Both masts were undergoing maintenance when the fires broke out. IJsselstein was under routine maintenance and at Smilde cables were being replaced. Earlier today a report showed that in 2007 management was alerted to security and safety risks at the sites. NOVEC has today carried out checks on all the masts in the Netherlands - some 50 in total.
(Source: Radiofreak.nl via Media Network Weblog)
Meanwhile, NOVEC has received permission to construct a temporary mast on land belonging to the Ministry of Defence in Assen. The mast will be around 100 metres high, and should be able to take over “a substantial part” of the functions of the collapsed mast at Smilde. Construction of the mast will commence either on Sunday or on Monday morning,
(Source: ANP via Media Network Weblog)
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