Fire chiefs in Hereford and Worcester say the risk of explosion at a planned battery storage facility in Inkberrow are “very real and are becoming more common.”
In a public letter to the Planning Authority, the Assistant Chief Fire Officer says the only way to put out a battery fire is “to let it burn” or “use significant amounts of water for a protracted period,” with both options raising serious concerns.
More than four thousand people have so far objected to the solar power station and battery storage facilities planned for Inkberrow which if approved will see the landscape which inspired ‘The Shire’ lost forever.
Adrian Elliott, Assistant Chief Fire Officer (Director of Protection), Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said in his submission published on the Wychavon Council website:
“If we were to let it burn, there would be a significant impact on the surrounding communities which would all be significantly impacted from the vapour / smoke plume for at least 24- 48 hours.
“There are minimal alternative options for water, however due to the significant amounts we would use, the Environment Agency and Severn Trent may need to consider the impact of run-off in to local water courses.”
These fears are backed by residents campaigning against the plans for a battery storage facility, which is part of the planned 287-acre solar power station development after latest figures revealed the number of fires at similar sites across the world.
Phil Coathup, from the Roundhill Wood Solar Farm (RWSF) opposition group said:
“Residents have a right to know what RWE’s* plans would be in the event of a fire. Would local residents and Inkberrow primary school be evacuated in the event of a fire and the toxic fumes it would create? Would people be forced to leave their home and for how long? How far away would toxic fumes be expected to impact people?
“There are also serious concerns about access to the planned site in an emergency, water supply and ventilation of these huge battery units and the community needs reassurance from the developer that it has a plan in place to deal with any explosions.
“It’s clear that this type of storage facility poses a real danger to our communities, and we should not be putting people and our brave firefighters in such danger.
“This latest evidence shows how these developments could impact on the already hard-pressed emergency services as well as the Environment Agency and water companies having to potentially deal with contaminated seepage from the site into local streams and rivers.
“We fully support renewable energy but believe a full risk assessment needs to be carried out urgently at this site which we believe is the wrong location without the necessary infrastructure in place for a development of this size.”