Fire watchers
Page 20
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In a recent conversation with a retired fire officer I discussed the emotive subject of the Freight Shuttle wagons relative to their design and the safety factor. He is a regular traveller through the tunnel so knew the wagons I was talking about.
His comments surprised me in that he felt the wagons were a secondary consideration relative to the overall safety procedures. He said the major factor in any fire was detection time, hence the reason for the enthusiasm for some detectors in homes.
Another point he made was that a lorry fire in the open can be very different to one in a confined space; in the latter, under certain circumstances, the same fire could result in a massive explosion.
After this conversation I began to see some merit in an open or semi-open wagon and why in most countries, especially Switzerland, even cars are carried through tunnels on open wagons. Were totally closed wagons used the driver would need to remain with his vehicle to raise the alarm, deal with any minor incident and activate fire prevention equipment.
My friend's comments on procedures, especially the human element, deserve more consideration. Until the reports are published comment is difficult, but should the press reports on the fire being present prior to the train entering the tunnel be true then that should lift procedure to top priority.
Perhaps the mind should be concentrated on the ability to run freight shuttles through the tunnel non-stop; provision of closed-circuit television over the entire route; and improvement of communications for fire, rescue services and fire spotters.
My friend pointed out that the latter did an excellent job in the last war.
W Montague, Hornchurch, Essex.