Huge 999 response at HS2 tunnel after reports of fire

Claire Harrison

13 April 2024 at 9:55 am·2-min read

Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service and the technical rescue unit from West Midlands Fire Service were called into action -Credit:Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service on X

Firefighters and paramedics raced to a report of a fire in a huge tunnel on the HS2 site in North Warwickshire. Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service, the technical rescue unit from West Midlands Fire Service and West Midlands Ambulance Service responded to reports of a fire approximately 50 metres into the tunnel at Water Orton.

It led to a full evacuation as specialist firefighters, kitted out in breathing apparatus, went into the tunnel, which forms part of the HS2 line works in the area.

Fortunately, they found there was no fire and instead the smoke was caused by a fire suppression system deep within the tunnel being accidentally being activated.

"Firefighters from West Midlands Fire Service technical rescue team, who specialise in working in confined spaces, entered the tunnel wearing breathing apparatus and used gas monitors and thermal image cameras to locate the incident," Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service said.

"It was determined the cause of the smoke was the accidental actuation of a fire suppression system deep within the tunnel. There was found to be no fire and no persons were injured."

Crews remained on site to help on-site staff to address ventilating the tunnel area.

HS2 statement

A spokesperson for HS2 Ltd said: “The fire suppression system was triggered on one of our tunnel boring machines this morning and the emergency services attended the scene. Both machines were temporarily evacuated as a precaution in line with our emergency procedures.

"The incident is over, no-one was injured and we've been given the all-clear to return to the tunnelling machines. We are working to establish the cause of the false alarm."

The incident took place in what is known as the Bromford Tunnel East Portal, which is a 3.5 mile twin-bore high-speed rail tunnel.

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HS2 statement

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