‘Three people dead’ Yeongdeok wind power generator fire investigated after 6 months

Incorporation of police, National Forensic Service, etc. “Time is spent on site access safety measures.”

(Yeongdeok = Yonhap News) Reporter Dae-seong Son = Related authorities will conduct a joint investigation on the 12th regarding the fire at the Yeongdeok wind power plant in Gyeongsangbuk-do, in which three workers died.

The Gyeongbuk Police Agency Metropolitan Crime Investigation Unit will begin a joint investigation at the fire site of the Yeongdeok Wind Power Complex in Changpo-ri, Yeongdeok-eup this morning.

It has been about six months since a fire broke out at a wind turbine on March 23rd.

The joint investigation involves the National Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Employment and Labor, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, and fire departments.

To determine the cause of a fire at a wind power generator, participating organizations open up all possibilities, such as facility defects or electrical factors, and inspect the generator and tower structure (column).

On March 23, a fire broke out at wind power generator unit 19 at the Yeongdeok Wind Power Complex, killing three workers who were repairing the generator.

The relevant authorities said that the fire was extinguished within 74 hours of the outbreak, but the identification was delayed due to difficulties in access due to safety issues with the tower structure.

The police plan to disclose the exact details of the investigation and final investigation results at a later date.

A police official explained, "The accident site was about 80 meters above the ground, so a new access road for heavy equipment such as large cranes had to be built, and safety measures were needed due to strong winds, so the on-site investigation was delayed."