Home / War In Iraq
Sun, Mar 23, 2003 - Page 4 News List

Specialists prepare to put out burning Iraqi oil wells

BLACK GOLD It took thousands of people many months to extinguish fires in Kuwaiti oil wells after the last Gulf war, and Iraq's wells are much bigger and more dispersed

THE GUARDIAN , LONDON

Extinguishing the flames is the hardest and most dangerous part, traditionally done with high explosives.

Baddick's company uses 1,360kg extinguishers which spray90kg of dry chemicals a second to smother the flames, but the firefighters have to get within a few feet, protected from the extreme heat by sheetmetal barriers and a constant shower of water.

"If there is a high gas concentration then it will burn even hotter," Baddick said. "It's the most fun you can have with your clothes on."

This story has been viewed 3510 times.
TOP top