27.11.2012
Tower crane fire and jib collapse in Sydney
A fire has caused the luffing jib of a tower crane to collapse onto a nearby building in Sydney, Australia this morning.
The crane was working on the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) site, erecting campus accommodation when a fire broke out on its superstructure.
The operator attempted to put the fire out with an extinguisher, but having failed to do so climbed back into the operators seat and slewed the crane around to a point where a falling jib would the least harm. He then climbed out of the cab to safety.
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The crane caught fire
At this stage the cause of the fire is unknown but it resulted in the jib cable failing allowing the jib to drop onto the UTS campus building. Fortunately there have been no reports of any injuries.
Reports suggest the crane is a 50 tonne capacity Favelle Favco M600D owned by Marr Contracting and was being used and operated by the main contractor Lend Lease Project Management and Construction.
Amazingly all of this was captured on camera, to watch the video
click here.
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The crane's jib coming to rest on the UTS building
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A close up of the damage caused
Tmayes
It would be interesting to know how long it was burning for till it collapsed???
Why is it that in the UK all our tower cranes are electric, yet in the USA and Australia etc they go for diesel engined tower cranes?
Must be a sod to fuel up each day !