The fire that gutted Tasmania’s Tungatinah Power Station was accidental and is believed to have started on the assembly bay floor, away from the facility’s main turbines, investigators have found.
The blaze broke out at the Central Highlands station at about 9pm on 2 September, leaving around 300 customers temporarily without electricity. Tasmania Fire Service said 25 crews and 45 personnel were involved in bringing it under control.
Deputy chief officer Matt Lowe said investigators had identified several potential ignition sources, but further work would be needed to establish exactly what started the fire.
“Following extensive scene examinations, fire investigators have determined the fire was accidental,” he said.
“The preliminary investigation findings have identified several potential ignition sources which will be subject to further investigation over the coming weeks and months, however the fire has originated on the assembly bay floor, away from the main turbines.”
The investigation was complicated by the size of the power station, extensive structural damage and severe weather in the area. The scene was handed back to Hydro Tasmania on Wednesday, although the wider inquiry is expected to continue for several months.
Hydro Tasmania chief executive Rachel Watson said the building had suffered significant damage and would need to be demolished. The company has yet to establish the condition of the generating equipment, which cannot be fully assessed until workers can safely reach it.
Tungatinah, which has five turbines and a generating capacity of 142.2 megawatts, supplies about 5 per cent of Tasmania’s electricity. It was progressively commissioned between 1953 and 1956 as part of the state’s hydro-electric scheme.
Ms Watson said it was too early to say how long the station would remain out of service or when rebuilding could begin. Workers and contractors have been removing debris, stabilising the structure and restoring communications and water supplies to support recovery operations.
