site.btaForest Fire Causes Big Delays of Trains on Wednesday

In a press release on Wednesday, the National Railway Infrastructure Company reported that at 12:50 p.m., as a result of a fire near the railway line in the area of the Sestrimo stop, a burning tree fell on the traction network between Kostenets and Belovo. The accident resulted in immediate suspension of train traffic in the section, as it is serviced by a single railway track. Big delays of trains followed.

Teams from the National Railway Infrastructure Company responded promptly and began work to remove the fallen tree and restore the disrupted network. A diesel railcar equipped with a water tank was sent to the site to help extinguish local fires near the railway infrastructure. Railway employees actively participated in the firefighting efforts with all available means.

At 2:30 p.m., power to the traction network was restored, and the trains that had stopped in the section were able to continue. 

At 4:25 p.m., at the request of the fire safety authorities, the voltage in the traction network was again switched off in connection with the involvement of helicopters in the firefighting operation. 

As a result of the amount of water used in the aerial firefighting, a second burnt tree fell on the traction network. A team from the National Railway Infrastructure Company responded immediately and removed it.

After coordination with the fire department, at 6:04 p.m. the voltage in the traction network was restored and train traffic in the section resumed.

To ensure safety, a round-the-clock team has been formed on site to monitor for any new burnt trees falling and take immediate action to remove them if necessary, the statement said.