Kitz Forum

Announcements => News Articles => Topic started by: S.Stephenson on March 24, 2021, 09:19:28 PM

Title: Hemsworth Telephone Exchange Burnt Down
Post by: S.Stephenson on March 24, 2021, 09:19:28 PM
My local exchange was burnt down (Hemsworth) it seems like it’s only affecting ADSL  I’m unaffected on FTTC so does that mean no FTTC kit is actually in that exchange?

The building is completely wreaked so unlikely anything inside survived.
Title: Re: Hemsworth Telephone Exchange Burnt Down
Post by: RealAleMadrid on March 24, 2021, 11:03:50 PM
I would assume the FTTC fibre connection goes to a different, probably larger Head End exchange. A lot of exchanges have no FTTC or FTTP equipment. In  my previous house the head end was 14 miles away, the local phone exchange was a couple of miles away but the fibre didn't go near it.
Title: Re: Hemsworth Telephone Exchange Burnt Down
Post by: burakkucat on March 24, 2021, 11:50:32 PM
Before --

(https://i2-prod.examinerlive.co.uk/news/article20244306.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_Screenshot-2021-03-24-112336.png)

After --

(https://www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk/webimg/QVNIMTE5ODIyNzY5.jpg?crop=982:736,smart&width=990)

Quote
A BT spokesperson said: “Despite this significant fire, engineers have worked through the night to reconnect the community. Most landline and all broadband services are now restored.

"We’re grateful for the prompt response of the emergency services and we’re sorry for any inconvenience.

"We’ll continue to repair the damage at the exchange and investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing. Anyone with information should contact the Police.”

The above quote is from the Wakefield Express, Tuesday 23rd March, 2021.
Title: Re: Hemsworth Telephone Exchange Burnt Down
Post by: Alex Atkin UK on March 25, 2021, 06:57:10 AM
(https://www.shieldsgazette.com/webimg/QVNIMTE5NzkzOTcx.jpg)

Yikes, and from what I can find they think it was started deliberately.  This the work of the 5G nutters again?
Title: Re: Hemsworth Telephone Exchange Burnt Down
Post by: Black Sheep on March 25, 2021, 12:27:54 PM
5,234 PSTN customers impacted, plus 418 WBC copper broadband customers and also 56 fibre based products were affected .... as a result of a power outage, due to the fire.

The vast majority of customers are now back in service, with the remainder migrated onto new equipment off the water-damaged concentrators, last evening.

Building services, security services, scaffolders etc all on-site working on the protection of the equipment and restoration work. Now THAT is how you react to a telecoms emergency !! Hats off to all involved.
Title: Re: Hemsworth Telephone Exchange Burnt Down
Post by: burakkucat on March 25, 2021, 04:11:25 PM
Building services, security services, scaffolders etc all on-site working on the protection of the equipment and restoration work. Now THAT is how you react to a telecoms emergency !! Hats off to all involved.

Yes, indeed.  :hat:

Looking at what images that are publicly available, I wonder if it was started by setting fire to those two wooden drums of cable. If the cables were grease or petroleum jelly filled, I suspect the initial conflagration would then have been sufficient to reach the roof.
Title: Re: Hemsworth Telephone Exchange Burnt Down
Post by: Alex Atkin UK on March 26, 2021, 09:21:41 AM
Absolutely amazing that the building wasn't completely trashed.
Title: Re: Hemsworth Telephone Exchange Burnt Down
Post by: S.Stephenson on March 26, 2021, 01:01:42 PM
I hope it isn’t a 5G nutter because when it’s fixed they might do it again.
Title: Re: Hemsworth Telephone Exchange Burnt Down
Post by: kitz on March 27, 2021, 01:44:03 AM
Surely even they aren't so stupid not to realise the difference between landlines and mobiles.... even though I see a mast in the image.
Unfortunately I wouldn't be surprised though if the cause was vandalism for some reason or other :(
Title: Re: Hemsworth Telephone Exchange Burnt Down
Post by: niemand on March 29, 2021, 11:31:27 AM
My local exchange was burnt down (Hemsworth) it seems like it’s only affecting ADSL  I’m unaffected on FTTC so does that mean no FTTC kit is actually in that exchange?

Yep: your cabinet goes back to South Elmsall.

https://www.thinkbroadband.com/broadband/exchanges/mysem