Fire, explosion at Holden plant

Aussie Falcon · 25-08-2005, 09:57 AM

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117...-29277,00.html

Fire, explosion at Holden plant
25-08-2005
From: AAP
AN electrical fire and furnace explosion has caused the partial shutdown of Holden's Melbourne engine plant.

Fire units rushed to the car manufacturer's engine plant in Port Melbourne about 1.40am (AEST) today after one of four massive foundry containers, which hold molten metal, blew apart.
Less than a dozen workers were in the plant undertaking nightly maintenance, and Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) spokesman John Taylor said they evacuated without injury.

"An electrical fire is believed to have caused the overheating of the furnace by cutting off the cooling processes and thus allowing the furnace to superheat and explode," he said.

The spilled metal was contained in a secure area, and a Holden spokesman said an inspection of the damage was underway this morning.

"Engine production won't be halted," spokesman Jason Laird said today.

He said the explosion occurred in an area of the plant that made engine manifolds, and they had enough in stock to continue main stream engine production.

The MFB had estimated the damage and shutdown would have a multi-million dollar cost for Holden, but Mr Laird rejected this, saying: "It's too early to tell."

Up to six fire units and 18 fire fighters responded to the emergency and remained at the scene for almost two hours.

Gammaboy · 25-08-2005, 10:29 AM

I *KNOW* theres a joke about Alloytechs in there somewhere.....

Sourbastard · 25-08-2005, 10:31 AM

Quote:

cutting off the cooling processes and thus allowing the furnace to superheat and explode

Same sort of thing used to happen to my torana.

InitialD · 25-08-2005, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sourbastard

Same sort of thing used to happen to my torana.

lol thats too funny.

Heeno · 25-08-2005, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sourbastard

Same sort of thing used to happen to my torana.

lol funny that, it also happend to mums old torana and my mate lx torana, coincidence? i think not

Sourbastard · 25-08-2005, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heeno

lol funny that, it also happend to mums old torana and my mate lx torana, coincidence? i think not

Nah no coincidence, all LH & LX Torana's seemed to have a problem keeping cool. Only one I saw that didnt have a problem ran an aftermarket 5 core radiator with thermo's.

Aussie Falcon · 25-08-2005, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sourbastard

Same sort of thing used to happen to my torana.

lol classic!

telstar1 · 25-08-2005, 02:19 PM

holden has now got a hot engine to put in their cars

Ryan · 25-08-2005, 04:10 PM

lol wtf???

:

Atleast we now that Holden is HOT!!!!!. lol

rodderz · 25-08-2005, 04:38 PM

Can a blown up foundry with metal all over the place and safety guys running around really cause no disruptions to engine production??

Blue Oval Mopar Man · 25-08-2005, 04:51 PM

Looks like they need to teach the monkeys to read over at holden ! one seems to have let his curiousity get the better of him and pulled the pin too early . The hand grenade wasnt even in the car yet ! :thebirds:

montyv8 · 25-08-2005, 11:58 PM

there was a fire, but no "explosion". don't believe all that you read.

oh yeah, im one of the "monkeys" that work at holdens. not at the foundry, but we get the correct stories, not what the media tells you.

and i can read.

DRU842 · 26-08-2005, 07:40 AM

This fire will have no effect on Alloytec production because nothing from the foundry goes into these engines.