Cape Nelson WT Fire

29th June, 2024

@9newsmelbourne

A wind turbine in the southwest of Victoria has been destroyed by fire overnight, with a giant blade crashing into the ground. Firefighters were called to the Portland wind farm around 8pm last night, finding the top of the tower in flames. More details tonight at 6pm. #9News #Victoria #Australia #Windtower

♬ original sound – 9News Melbourne

Source; https://www.frv.vic.gov.au/wind-turbine-fire-cape-neilson-road-portland

Published:Friday 28 June 2024 at 6:08 pm

28 June 

At 7.56PM, Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) was called to Cape Neilson Road Portland after a caller, 6kms away, reported to Triple Zero (000) a possible wind turbine on fire near the light house.

Firefighters arrived on scene and confirmed a wind turbine at the base of Murrells Hill was on fire. Crews escalated the incident and called for an additional FRV arial pumper and three CFA tankers including a bulk water tanker. 

Firefighters reported the fire was right at the top of the turbine, with 1 blade having already fallen off and the other 2 expected to follow.

Firefighting activities were considered ineffective, and the fire continued to burn and self-extinguish throughout the night. No external assets were threatened.

FRV deemed the fire Under Control at 11.05PM.

An FRV crew remained on the scene overnight.

29 June 

At 9.37AM, FRV firefighters requested a CFA tanker attend the scene to extinguish a small grass fire.

FRV’s Fire Investigation Unit, and the Remote Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) (drones) team will attend the scene today, along with Energy Safe Victoria and WorkSafe.