Liseberg’s new water park Oceana is engulfed in flames with only months left until its opening. The fire, which starts in one of the water slides, spreads extremely quickly. Images show the construction being torn apart in violent explosions.
”High heat required”
According to experts who have examined Oceana’s fire protection, it is likely that so-called ”hot work” is behind the fire.
– There are strong indications of that. To ignite a plastic construction, high heat over a long period of time is required, says Lars Brodin, fire engineer and expert at the Fire Protection Association.
He is supported by Hasse Bergkvist, fire investigator and expert at the Svebra association:
– A fire starting in a facade or a wall rarely has a natural cause. It is likely to be a result of hot work that is fire hazardous.
”Then something has gone wrong”
Hot work is surrounded by many regulations. Among other things, the performer must be certified and a fire guard should generally be present. If a fire has started in connection with the work, it may be a sign of a breach of regulations, according to Brodin.
– If the regulations are followed, a fire should not be able to occur. Then something has gone wrong.
”A single large fire cell”
Construction documents that SVT has seen show that Oceana was equipped with sprinklers. Whether the system was activated on Monday is unclear.
– With 90% certainty, I would say that it was not. It would be devastating if the sprinkler system went off during construction work, says Bergkvist, who emphasizes that there are no requirements for comprehensive fire protection during construction.
According to him, it can also be assumed that the fire doors were open – which in turn may have led to rapid fire spread.
– This building has become a single large fire cell. It was a large unprotected area, and that’s why this happened.
NCC does not respond
Main contractor NCC has previously stated that the fire started during a work process, a statement that they later retracted. Now the company wants to investigate what has happened.
SVT has contacted NCC for a comment.
