Defective Cable Found to Blame for Bangkok Blue Line Fire
A fire at Bangkok's MRT Blue Line Tao Poon Station on September 20 was caused by defective electrical cable with damaged insulation from original installation in 2017. The operator has completed repairs and no passengers were injured.
The Department of Rail Transport reported on September 21 on the progress of a short circuit incident on the MRT Blue Line at Tao Poon Station on September 20. Preliminary findings indicate the fire was caused by defective electrical wiring with damaged insulation dating from the original installation. The cable is believed to have been torn or damaged when first installed years ago. Normally, undamaged electrical cables with intact insulation have a service life of 10 to 20 years, but the premature failure in this case suggests the damage occurred at installation. The MRT Blue Line section from Bang Sue to Tao Poon officially opened on August 11, 2017. The state is unlikely to pursue legal action against the concession operator since the same company both operates the line and installed the electrical systems. The company has already undertaken all necessary repairs, replacing ten 750V power cables, one signal system cable, one communications cable, two third rail sections, and 13 rail pads, as well as repairing structural and concrete damage caused by heat. No passengers were reported injured in the incident.
