Energy Safety WA has released its report on January’s Cairnhill fire and it identifies what it sees as the source of the fire but the cause could not be determined.
The examination found the Cable Termination Head on top of the concrete power pole behind the property “failed due to the failure of the cable insulation. The cause of the cable insulation failure could not be determined by the examination. ”
The report also points out that Western Power was not aware there was a fire when it tried to turn the power back on 24 minutes after the power was automatically shut down. WP then sent an “operative” to the site and he was informed by DFES of the fire.
The report, which is available here makes no reference to earlier electrical related fires in the area and no recommendations were made.
The fire occurred on January 5 and resulted in the destruction of the Cairnhill B&B. The quick response of the Dunsborough, Yallingup and Yallingup Rural brigades stopped the fire from reaching neighbouring houses.
Yallingup Rural Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade 