Wind turbine catches fire in Redhill, South Australia – as local fires sparked by falling debris scorching 30 hectares of grassland
A fire at a wind farm in South Australia has destroyed a $2.2 million turbine.
The fire in Redhill, 178km north of Adelaide, scorched 30 hectares of grass as five firefighters from the Farm Fire Unit continued to battle the blaze on Tuesday afternoon.
Firefighters extinguished fires around the damaged turbine at the Clement Gap wind farm in an attempt to prevent further grass fires.
The wind farm's owner, Pacific Blue, confirmed that a 'fire-related incident' was reported by one of the maintenance crews at around 8.30am.
No personnel were injured in the fire and power to the affected turbine has been disconnected.
A $2.2 million wind turbine (pictured) caught fire during a farm fire in Redhill, South Australia, on Tuesday afternoon
The wind turbines are approximately 150 meters high and have blades between 40 and 90 meters long. An exclusion zone was therefore established around the burned turbine (photo) due to the risk of falling debris.
The South Australian Country Fire Service said there was no risk to the public, but warned smoke would be visible in surrounding areas.
An exclusion zone has been established around the farm due to the risk of the burned turbine collapsing.
Most wind turbines are about 150 meters high and the blades are between 40 and 90 meters long.
The fire brigade has already extinguished several fires caused by fallen debris.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined but will be investigated once the damaged turbine can be safely dismantled.
The South Australian Country Fire Service said there is no risk to the public but warned smoke (pictured) would be visible to surrounding areas
The wind farm's owner, Pacific Blue, confirmed that a 'fire-related incident' was reported by one of the maintenance crew at around 8.30am (photo, firefighters on scene)