Silvertown tunnel fire under investigation after ‘very worrying’ damage
By Joe Talora, Local Democracy Reporter
An investigation is under way after a fire broke out at the Silvertown Tunnel construction site on Tuesday evening.
Six fire engines and 40 firefighters were called to the blaze at 10.30pm, which resulted in damage to a conveyor belt in the tunnel boring machine launch chamber. No injuries were reported.
Station commander Daniel Capon, who was at the scene, said: “Access to the fire was challenging, with firefighters working to reach a sub-surface conveyor belt. Crews worked incredibly hard to bring the fire under control.”
It comes just three weeks after tunnelling work began on the controversial £2.2 billion project, which will link the Greenwich Peninsula to the West Silvertown via a new road under the River Thames.
Green Party London Assembly Member Sian Berry, who has campaigned against the construction of the tunnel, said the scale of the damage was “very worrying”.
She said: “I was concerned to see the fire at the Silvertown Road Tunnel worksite near City Hall late on Tuesday. I have obtained up-to-date pictures of the aftermath of the fire and to see this level of damage to a worksite that ought to be carefully and safely managed is very worrying.
“I have asked for an update on the investigation from London Fire Brigade and expect the causes of this fire and future management of this long contract to be looked at closely by Transport for London to ensure it is made fully safe.”
Pictures taken in the aftermath of the fire show significant damage to the conveyor belt used to remove waste material from the launch chamber of the Silvertown Tunnel.
A Transport for London (TfL) spokesman said: “All emergency procedures were followed and nobody was hurt as a result. Safety is our top priority and an urgent investigation with Riverlinx and its contractors is underway to fully understand the cause of the fire.”
Pictured top: Landscape Shot of conveyors damaged by fire (Picture: City Hall Greens)