Wind turbine fire 2 dead

October 31, 2013 (Netherlands) – Two young mechanics, ages 19 and 21, died when a fire broke out in a wind turbine where they were performing  routine maintenance. The tragedy occurred at Deltawind’s Piet de Wit wind farm in the Netherlands, but highlights the hazards associated with fires caused by wind turbines.

According to the Netherlands Times, “because of the height, the fire department initially had trouble extinguishing the fire in the engine room.” The fire started in the afternoon, but it took until evening for a special team of firefighters to arrive and ascend with a large crane.
 

One victim was found on the ground beside the wind turbine; the other body was recovered by the specialized team. Two other mechanics escaped safely. A witness reported seeing two men jump through flames into a staircase.

 

Reference

Original story in Dutch:

Monteur overleden bij brand windmolen - http://www.rtlnieuws.nl/nieuws/binnenland/monteur-overleden-bij-brand-windmolen-ooltgensplaat

Video of Windmill fire on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hJeaPzDnOE