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23.02.2016
Tower crane fire and collapse in Melbourne
A tower crane jib came downat a site in the Prahran suburb of Melbourne, Australia today following a fire in the crane engine compartment.
The crane was working on site of the ‘The Parque’ apartments when the incident took place this afternoon. It is understood that the engine and surrounding hoses and wiring caught fire fire and quickly spread through the superstructure causing the jib pendant cable to fail and the jib to drop.
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The fire started in the engine and quickly spread through the superstructure
Footage shows the dramatic moment the crane’s jib came down almost an hour after the fire was reported, damaging cars parked on the nearby street.
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12 construction workers were evacuated from the site and no injuries were reported. Metropolitan fire crews were quickly on site to extinguish the fire and are checking that all flames have been extinguished before dismantling can begin.
Update:
It would appear that an electrical fault was the cause of the blaze and collapse of the crane’s jib. Melbourne’s Metropolitan Fire Brigade has investigated the wreckage and found an electrical short in the battery terminal circuity.
I never really knew why a diesel engine would be favoured prime mover in a tower crane -- OK its a great counterweight - but fuelling the day tank can't be an easy exercise compared to the simplicity of an electric motor on a mains supply or at worst an electric motor and ground based diesel generating set where all fuelling needs are done at ground level. That's two luffers that have caught fire in Australia and dropped their jibs now - not great !
I never really knew why a diesel engine would be favoured prime mover in a tower crane -- OK its a great counterweight - but fuelling the day tank can't be an easy exercise compared to the simplicity of an electric motor on a mains supply or at worst an electric motor and ground based diesel generating set where all fuelling needs are done at ground level. That's two luffers that have caught fire in Australia and dropped their jibs now - not great !