Yet another tunnel fire broke out over the weekend, this one in the long and deep tunnel running under the Oslo Fjord between Drøbak and Hurum. The heat was so intense that it badly damaged the tunnel, resulting in a need for major repairs.
The fire began once again in a heavy truck that was driving through the 7.3-kilometer-long tunnel. The exact cause of the fire remained unclear, but many other trucks have caught fire when their brakes overheat on the long descent into the tunnel. Police said the truck that ignited Friday night was also carrying a cargo of paper that was highly flammable as well.
Both the driver and others in the tunnel at the time escaped and there were no injuries. State highway crews inspected the tunnel on Saturday and determined that it must remain closed for at least two- to three weeks while repairs are underway.The blaze destroyed overhead lighting and insulation material, and the roadway will need new asphalt.
Work began immediately. Motorists traveling between Østfold and Vestfold will now need to drive through Oslo or take the ferry that runs between Moss and Horten until the tunnel reopens.
newsinenglish.no staff
