A wind turbine at the Coldham Wind Farm in Cambridgeshire caught fire on Sunday morning, prompting emergency services to respond and manage the situation.
The fire broke out at approximately 10:00 GMT, sending thick smoke billowing into the sky as flames engulfed the turbine.
The Coldham Wind Farm, located in the Fens area, is home to several turbines and has been operational since its construction in 2005.
The site, a joint project between ScottishPower Renewables and the Co-operative Group, has faced no previous major incidents of this nature.
Fire crews from the nearby March and Stanground stations in Peterborough rushed to the scene upon receiving reports of the blaze.
They were able to make the area safe and ensured that the fire was controlled, although the turbine continued to burn throughout the morning.
By 13:00, the fire service had left the scene, but crews remained on-site throughout the day to inspect the area and monitor for any potential risks.
In a Facebook update, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service reassured the public that they were aware of the fire and working hard to contain it.
“You may have seen there is a fire involving a wind turbine near Coldham. We have firefighters at the scene working hard to extinguish the fire. If you see the flames on your travels, please be assured that we are aware of the fire and have it under control,” they stated.
Despite efforts to extinguish the flames, firefighters made the decision to let the fire burn out safely, as there were no immediate threats to the surrounding area or other turbines at the farm. The wind farm’s nine other turbines were not affected by the fire.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with authorities working to determine whether it was due to mechanical failure, electrical issues, or another factor.
While fires at wind farms are relatively rare, the turbines’ height and the presence of electrical components make them more vulnerable to incidents like this.
Local residents who witnessed the fire expressed concerns about the potential for similar incidents in the future, noting that while wind energy is considered a safe and renewable source of power, it is not immune to risks.
“It’s worrying to see something like this happening so close to home,” said one resident. “We rely on these turbines for clean energy, but I hope they find out what caused this quickly so we can be sure it’s safe.”
The fire has not caused any reported injuries, and no other structures at the wind farm were affected. However, authorities have indicated they will continue their investigations into the incident.
As the renewable energy sector continues to grow, incidents like these serve as a reminder of the complexities involved in maintaining large-scale wind farms.
While the Coldham Wind Farm remains operational, further inspections and safety protocols may be implemented to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
