Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Sewer screw may become poo-blic art
Relief as factory escapes major damage after ‘accidental fire’
A NEW home is being sought for a giant 33ft Archimedes’ screw that is being replaced at a sewage pumping station.
The device, which weighs three tonnes, is used to transfer water up from a lower level.
It has been in use at Farnborough, Hants, for more than 30 years.
Adrian Hurford, of Thames Water, said: “It has served us really well. But we’re replacing it with two submersible pumps that will do the job faster and more efficiently.
“Rather than just scrap it, it would be great if someone could re-purpose it into a piece of public art.
“At around twice the height of a giraffe and weighing as much as a hippo, it would certainly make a big statement.”
A BLAZE at the Bombardier plant in East Belfast caused “no damage to any aircraft structures or aerostructure assembly lines”, the company confirmed yesterday.
The statement was issued hours after a “significant” fire at the factory sent plumes of dark smoke into the air prompting a large-scale operation from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service on Sunday night.
The NIFRS, who received a call at around 8.45pm, said yesterday it had brought the fire under control after 50 crew members attended the scene.
They confirmed the “fire appears to have started in machinery and the cause of the incident is under investigation”. Firefighters added at this stage “the cause is believed to be accidental”.
In their statement, Bombardier said: “Thanks to the incredible work of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, along with our security, health and safety and operations teams, strict safety protocols and fire prevention infrastructure within our buildings, the fire was contained within one area of the factory.
“While there is damage to some machinery and a portion of the roof, there is no damage to aircraft structures or aerostructure assembly lines.
“Following thorough safety inspections, work has resumed as normal in other areas of the factory. We will work with our customers and suppliers to address any production concerns, however, we are confident there will be minimal impact to customer deliveries.”
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source familiar with the plant said a number of factors helped stop the fire causing more damage.
They added: “A worker at the place spotted it pretty quickly, then the Fire Brigade were there within a few minutes and as well as that the place has good measures in place like fire walls and fire doors.”
East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson told how there was serious concern when the fire broke out.
He said: “It was a big incident last night and it’s something the company will have to navigate very carefully.”