Williams celebrations party ends pre maturely due to a blaze
15 May 2012|1,435 views
Recent Spanish Grand Prix winners, Williams had to put off celebratory plans, if any, and had to focus on fire fighting efforts when a fire broke out at their garage possibly due to a explosion by a fuel rig about 90 minutes after Pastor Maldonado claimed the chequed flag. The fire was fought by people from Williams with aid from Caterham and Force India among other teams. A William’s spokesman confirmed four people were injured and taken to the medical centre at the circuit, and one was flown to a local hospital with severe burns to his legs. As of now, all have been discharged except one who is expected to return to the UK within the next 48 hours to receive further medical care.
Team principal Sir Frank Williams was giving a congratulatory speech to a packed garage when the fire broke out. "I felt an explosion from behind, somewhere from the fuel area, and everyone ran out quickly," explained the team's reserve driver Valtteri Bottas.
The blaze engulfed the garage, as black smoke filled the air and damaging Bruno Senna’s car. The area was evacuated and the fire was contained within 20 minutes. Force India's chief operations officer Otmar Szafnauer said, "We were a few garages away having our debrief when we saw all the smoke and ran over. We all ran down with our fire extinguishers to help put it out. It is a bit fortunate that almost all the teams went down to help put it out."
Mechanics from several neighbouring garages joined forces to tackle the blaze and Sir Frank Williams has been overwhelmed by the response. The FIA said 31 people were seen by medical staff from the circuit and seven had been transferred to local hospitals.
According to Williams the fire has damaged plenty of equipment including IT equipment and will spend the next couple of days to check up on parts. As the Monaco grand prix takes place this weekend, Williams will need sufficient supplies to operate at Monaco.
Recent Spanish Grand Prix winners, Williams had to put off celebratory plans, if any, and had to focus on fire fighting efforts when a fire broke out at their garage possibly due to a explosion by a fuel rig about 90 minutes after Pastor Maldonado claimed the chequed flag.
The fire was fought by people from Williams with aid from Caterham and Force India among other teams. A William’s spokesman confirmed four people were injured and taken to the medical centre at the circuit, and one was flown to a local hospital with severe burns to his legs. As of now, all have been discharged except one who is expected to return to the UK within the next 48 hours to receive further medical care.
Team principal Sir Frank Williams was giving a congratulatory speech to a packed garage when the fire broke out. "I felt an explosion from behind, somewhere from the fuel area, and everyone ran out quickly," explained the team's reserve driver Valtteri Bottas.
The blaze engulfed the garage, as black smoke filled the air and damaging Bruno Senna’s car. The area was evacuated and the fire was contained within 20 minutes. Force India's chief operations officer Otmar Szafnauer said, "We were a few garages away having our debrief when we saw all the smoke and ran over. We all ran down with our fire extinguishers to help put it out. It is a bit fortunate that almost all the teams went down to help put it out."
Mechanics from several neighbouring garages joined forces to tackle the blaze and Sir Frank Williams has been overwhelmed by the response. The FIA said 31 people were seen by medical staff from the circuit and seven had been transferred to local hospitals.
The fire was fought by people from Williams with aid from Caterham and Force India among other teams. A William’s spokesman confirmed four people were injured and taken to the medical centre at the circuit, and one was flown to a local hospital with severe burns to his legs. As of now, all have been discharged except one who is expected to return to the UK within the next 48 hours to receive further medical care.
Team principal Sir Frank Williams was giving a congratulatory speech to a packed garage when the fire broke out. "I felt an explosion from behind, somewhere from the fuel area, and everyone ran out quickly," explained the team's reserve driver Valtteri Bottas.
The blaze engulfed the garage, as black smoke filled the air and damaging Bruno Senna’s car. The area was evacuated and the fire was contained within 20 minutes. Force India's chief operations officer Otmar Szafnauer said, "We were a few garages away having our debrief when we saw all the smoke and ran over. We all ran down with our fire extinguishers to help put it out. It is a bit fortunate that almost all the teams went down to help put it out."
Mechanics from several neighbouring garages joined forces to tackle the blaze and Sir Frank Williams has been overwhelmed by the response. The FIA said 31 people were seen by medical staff from the circuit and seven had been transferred to local hospitals.
According to Williams the fire has damaged plenty of equipment including IT equipment and will spend the next couple of days to check up on parts. As the Monaco grand prix takes place this weekend, Williams will need sufficient supplies to operate at Monaco.
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