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30/09/2008
Cutty Sark Blaze 'Caused By Vacuum Cleaner'
The blaze that caused millions of pounds of damage to an iconic 19th Century tea clipper was caused by a piece of electrical machinery, according to police.
The Metropolitan Police said the blaze that engulfed the Cutty Sark last May, which was docked in Greenwich, southeast London, started in the stern of the ship on the lower deck.
An industrial vacuum cleaner that had accidentally been left switched on for two days was the cause of the fire. The clipper suffered £10 million of damage.
The machine had been used to remove waste from the ship as part of a renovation project.
Police revealed there were no sprinklers on the ship, as they had been removed while it was being repaired, and no fire alarm went off.
The fire ravaged the historic ship's three decks and destroyed all the building work structures and tools onboard. However, more than half the ship, including the masts and rigging, had been removed from the scene as part of the restoration work.
More than 40 firefighters fought to keep the blaze under control for almost two hours, which began just before 5am on May 21, 2007.
Renovation for the ship is now expected to be complete by early 2010.
See: Cutty Sark searched for clues
(JM)
The Metropolitan Police said the blaze that engulfed the Cutty Sark last May, which was docked in Greenwich, southeast London, started in the stern of the ship on the lower deck.
An industrial vacuum cleaner that had accidentally been left switched on for two days was the cause of the fire. The clipper suffered £10 million of damage.
The machine had been used to remove waste from the ship as part of a renovation project.
Police revealed there were no sprinklers on the ship, as they had been removed while it was being repaired, and no fire alarm went off.
The fire ravaged the historic ship's three decks and destroyed all the building work structures and tools onboard. However, more than half the ship, including the masts and rigging, had been removed from the scene as part of the restoration work.
More than 40 firefighters fought to keep the blaze under control for almost two hours, which began just before 5am on May 21, 2007.
Renovation for the ship is now expected to be complete by early 2010.
See: Cutty Sark searched for clues
(JM)
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22 May 2007
Cutty Sark searched for clues
Forensic scientists are examining the charred remains of the Cutty Sark in a bid to find clues to the fire which ravaged the famous ship on Monday. The blaze, which broke out on the 19th Century tea clipper on display in Greenwich, southeast London on Monday morning, is being treated as suspicious.
Cutty Sark searched for clues
Forensic scientists are examining the charred remains of the Cutty Sark in a bid to find clues to the fire which ravaged the famous ship on Monday. The blaze, which broke out on the 19th Century tea clipper on display in Greenwich, southeast London on Monday morning, is being treated as suspicious.
11 February 2013
Pirates Take Hostages From British Ship
Three crewmen have been taken hostage in an attack by pirates on a British ship off the west coast of Africa, the BBC has reported. The victims are a Romanian and two Russians. They were kidnapped when pirates took control of the Esther C cargo ship in the Gulf of Guinea.
Pirates Take Hostages From British Ship
Three crewmen have been taken hostage in an attack by pirates on a British ship off the west coast of Africa, the BBC has reported. The victims are a Romanian and two Russians. They were kidnapped when pirates took control of the Esther C cargo ship in the Gulf of Guinea.
12 February 2007
HMS Intrepid to be recycled in the UK
The former Royal Navy assault ship HMS Intrepid is expected to be recycled at a British facility, the Ministry of Defence has announced. The 12,000 tonne vessel, which is a key part of the fleet that led the campaign to retake the Falkland Islands 25 years ago, has been moored in Portsmouth harbour since she left service in 1999.
HMS Intrepid to be recycled in the UK
The former Royal Navy assault ship HMS Intrepid is expected to be recycled at a British facility, the Ministry of Defence has announced. The 12,000 tonne vessel, which is a key part of the fleet that led the campaign to retake the Falkland Islands 25 years ago, has been moored in Portsmouth harbour since she left service in 1999.
29 January 2007
Napoli container salvage set to resume
Salvage teams working on the cargo ship stranded on a Dorset Beach are set to resume work on recovering the containers on board the listing ship. Efforts to remove over 2,000 containers form the beached container ship Napoli had to be halted when a mooring cable on the crane barge snapped.
Napoli container salvage set to resume
Salvage teams working on the cargo ship stranded on a Dorset Beach are set to resume work on recovering the containers on board the listing ship. Efforts to remove over 2,000 containers form the beached container ship Napoli had to be halted when a mooring cable on the crane barge snapped.
22 January 2007
Ship beached off Dorset coast being examined
It is hoped that pumping of the 3,500 tonnes of oil on board the stranded cargo ship on the Devon coast can begin later today. The MSC Napoli has already leaked around 200 tonnes of heavy fuel oil into the sea.
Ship beached off Dorset coast being examined
It is hoped that pumping of the 3,500 tonnes of oil on board the stranded cargo ship on the Devon coast can begin later today. The MSC Napoli has already leaked around 200 tonnes of heavy fuel oil into the sea.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
