Wind turbine engulfed in flames after suspected lightning strike in Doddington
EIR-0896Other entries that name Doddington
Provisional entry. Published from first reports. This entry is rechecked automatically and updated when more sources appear. Next update: 17 September 2026.
An 89 metre wind turbine on Benwick Road in Doddington, Cambridgeshire, was found well alight on the morning of 30 May 2018, with flames and smoke coming from the nacelle and debris falling to the ground. The fire was reported at 7.50am. Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service sent one crew from Chatteris and one crew with a multi-star appliance from Stanground to the scene. The fire service said the fire was being allowed to burn out. Local residents posted images of the blaze on social media, and many speculated that it had been caused by a lightning strike overnight, although no official cause was reported.
Residents and social media users speculated that a lightning strike the previous night caused the fire. No cause was confirmed by the fire service in the report, and no investigation findings have been reported.
- Wind turbine fires at height are often left to burn out rather than actively fought, given access and safety constraints for firefighters.
- Falling debris from a burning turbine nacelle poses a hazard to the surrounding area, so access routes and land beneath the turbine should be cordoned off.
- Lightning protection systems and strike monitoring may warrant review for turbines in areas prone to severe weather.
Published 2026-09-16. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.