Around 3 AM on Sunday, the tunnel between the National Theatre and Oslo Central Station was closed following a cable fire.
Bane Nor cannot currently say what caused the fire or when the tunnel will be fully repaired. They will provide a new update at 9:00 PM.
Continuing Cable Replacement
Press officer Hary Korslund at Bane Nor told TU around 3 PM that they are still replacing, splicing, and connecting cables where the fire occurred.
– Both signal cables, telecommunication cables, and cables for other low-voltage systems are damaged. Therefore, personnel from at least three different professional groups are involved in the work, he says.
Press officer Anne Kirkhusmo informs TU around 2:30 PM that the repairs are complex and time-consuming. Kirkhusmo states that it is too early to comment on the causes of the fire and that they are fully focused on repairing the damages.
– We are working to reopen the station as soon as possible, and we will provide a new status update at 5:30 PM, she replies.
– We will give a new update at 5:30 PM, so then we will be able to answer that, she says.
High Temperatures
Eleven lines have been affected by the train halt.
– There has been fire in both signal cables, telecommunication cables, and other low-voltage cables connected to Bane Nor’s various systems, states the company’s press officer Harry Korslund to TU.
A guard reported the fire, and the fire department was called immediately, Korslund adds.
Sigurd Folgerø Dalen, communications chief at Oslo Fire and Rescue Service, reads from Sunday’s fire log that the fire department was alerted about the fire at 2:52 AM. The first truck arrived at the scene at 2:56 AM, and the firefighters were on-site at 3:06 AM. Dalen tells TU that the situation was not dramatic when the firefighters arrived.
– By the time we arrived, the fire was essentially out. We did not have to extinguish in the tunnel; the fire was put out by personnel from Bane Nor by the time we arrived. The staff from Bane Nor were working in the tunnel when we got there. Our job was to ensure the safety of the individuals down there, he says.
After the fire was extinguished, the temperature at the fire site was so high that Bane Nor’s personnel had to wait approximately 1-1.5 hours before they could inspect the damages, Korslund states.
Identified Additional Damages
During the night leading up to Monday, additional damages resulting from the fire were discovered, Korslund informs TU. The damages were discovered when they were testing the repairs they had made.
– In connection with the testing, even greater damages to the cables were discovered. There are several cables and cable channels that are damaged. More of the same, Korslund states.
The newly discovered damages are comparable to those they had previously found, but it means that the repairs are more extensive.
– The extent has proven to be greater, Korslund says.
– No, I am not aware that we do. Our main focus is on troubleshooting, Korslund states.
The damages are greatest on tracks 1 and 2. Bane Nor is considering whether traffic can gradually be reopened partially on the other tracks.
– We apologize for the inconvenience this causes, writes Bane Nor.
The fire occurred in the night leading up to Sunday. Press officer Harry Korslund at Bane Nor told NRK that much was destroyed in the fire.
A number of different cables for various systems now need to be cut and reconnected, Korslund explains.
– The work is underway, but it is very extensive because much has been destroyed in the fire, he told NRK on Sunday.
The road traffic center informs Aftenposten that traffic is moving slowly on the E18 towards Oslo on Monday morning.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Fire Safety Expert
Time.news Editor (TNE): Good afternoon and thank you for joining us today. We recently heard about the cable fire incident at the tunnel between the National Theatre and Oslo Central Station. Could you start by giving us an overview of what transpired?
Fire Safety Expert (FSE): Good afternoon. Yes, the incident occurred around 3 AM when a fire broke out in the tunnel due to unknown reasons. Fortunately, the fire department was alerted quickly, and the fire was largely under control by the time they arrived about four minutes later.
TNE: That’s quite prompt response time! What can you tell us about the fire’s impact on the infrastructure?
FSE: The fire affected several types of cables that are essential for the railway’s operations, including signal, telecommunication, and low-voltage cables. As stated by the representatives from Bane Nor, the damage is significant enough to require the involvement of multiple professional groups for repairs.
TNE: It seems like a complex situation. How do you assess the challenges they face in those repairs?
FSE: The repairs are indeed complex. The need to splice and replace damaged cables means that each type of cable will require different expertise. Additionally, as they discovered more damage during testing, it adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing repair work. The high temperatures at the site also hinder immediate inspections, prolonging the overall process.
TNE: Speaking of temperature, what safety precautions are in place when firefighters arrive at a scene with high thermal conditions?
FSE: Firefighter safety is paramount. They typically assess the situation first to ensure there are no ongoing hazards. In this case, since the fire was essentially out when they arrived, their role was to ensure no one was in immediate danger and to monitor any potential threats like re-ignition from residual heat.
TNE: That’s reassuring to know. In your expert opinion, what could be the next steps for Bane Nor and overall rail safety following this incident?
FSE: The immediate steps involve completing the repair work and ensuring that the affected systems are thoroughly tested before reopening. Long-term, it may warrant a review of the existing fire safety measures in tunnels, including preventive maintenance and monitoring of cable infrastructure to minimize the risk of future incidents.
TNE: Very insightful. Do you have any thoughts on how incidents like this can improve safety protocols in infrastructure more broadly?
FSE: Absolutely. Each incident acts as a learning opportunity. Increased surveillance technology, regular inspections, and better training for emergency response can enhance readiness and resilience. Furthermore, sharing findings from such incidents across the industry can foster a culture of safety and improve overall standards.
TNE: That’s a valuable perspective. As this story develops and more updates are provided regarding the repairs, we certainly hope that Bane Nor can resolve this efficiently. Thank you for your time and insights today!
FSE: Thank you for having me. Stay safe and informed!