Turbine nacelle destroyed by fire at Pubnico Point Wind Farm, Nova Scotia

A fire broke out at the top of a wind turbine tower at the Pubnico Point Wind Farm in West Pubnico, Nova Scotia, Canada, in the evening. By the time fire crews arrived, the nacelle, hub and blades were fully alight. Firefighters were unable to reach the flames roughly 78 metres above ground and instead focused on protecting the surrounding forest and nearby homes from spreading embers. Crews remained on site for several hours until the fire burned itself out. The tower structure remained standing afterwards, but the top assembly was destroyed. No injuries were reported. The cause was not immediately known and was under investigation. The site, operated by NextEra Energy Canada, had experienced a similar turbine fire several years earlier.

Cause not yet determined at time of reporting; turbine nacelles contain significant flammable material including composite blades, foam insulation, wiring and lubricating oil, which can sustain intense fires once ignited. The site had a prior history of a comparable turbine fire.

1. Fires at the top of tall wind turbines are frequently beyond the reach of conventional ground firefighting and response should prioritise containment of the surrounding area rather than direct suppression.
2. Recurrence of turbine fires at the same site over time warrants a review of maintenance practices, component ageing and fire detection or suppression systems.
3. Operators should maintain clear communication with local fire services on turbine access, fall zones and expected fire behaviour to support safe and effective incident response.

News report via Google News