ROMANIA – Fire at Stâlpu battery storage facility extinguished after overnight battle
A major fire at a battery energy-storage facility in Stâlpu, Buzău County, was extinguished on Thursday morning after firefighters spent the night battling the flames. No casualties were reported.
The blaze broke out at around 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday inside a hall measuring approximately 500 square metres and containing batteries designed to store electrical energy.
Two specialist vehicles from ISU Buzău remained at the site after the fire was extinguished. Their role was to monitor the area, check for any remaining hotspots and intervene immediately should the fire restart.
Firefighters faced difficult conditions
When emergency crews arrived, the entire hall was already engulfed in flames. The intense heat and the materials involved in the fire meant that firefighters initially had to adopt a defensive strategy, operating from a distance of approximately 200 metres.
Crews also worked to stop the fire from spreading to two oil transformers situated close to the affected building.
High temperatures, heavy smoke and the potential hazards associated with the battery storage system made the operation particularly challenging and prolonged.
The hall is one of two buildings within the same complex. Both are equipped with fire detection and firefighting systems. The second hall was unoccupied, although smoke had accumulated inside it.
Emergency response expanded overnight
ISU Buzău initially responded with six firefighting vehicles, an extrication vehicle and a SMURD ambulance.
As the scale of the incident became clear, additional resources were brought in from neighbouring counties.
ISU Prahova sent a powder and nitrogen extinguishing vehicle, together with two additional firefighting vehicles. ISU Bucharest-Ilfov provided a vehicle for transporting firefighting robots and a container of extinguishing powder.
The response was later strengthened by three more firefighting vehicles from ISU Bucharest-Ilfov, ISU Ialomița and ISU Prahova.
After firefighters managed to bring the situation under control, the crews deployed from outside Buzău were withdrawn. ISU Buzău personnel continued operations at the scene to make sure the fire was completely extinguished.
Cause of the fire remains unknown
Although the fire has been extinguished, its cause has not yet been established. Authorities are expected to investigate the incident to determine how the blaze started.
No casualties were reported in connection with the fire.
Photo credit: Energy Box. All rights reserved.