Sparks from a nearby bonfire ignited empty timber cable reels, resulting in the spread of fire to palleted cardboard sheets within the building. The fire destroyed a large quantity of timber cable reels and damaged 200m3 palleted cardboard, 24m3 steel cladding sheets, 24m3 Fibre Board lining and 20m3 of the roof. Smoke damage affected the remainder of the building. Extent of loss was valued of £310.00million.

A 4KV switchgear experienced an arc which blew out the cable penetration seal in the floor and spread fire to the cable trays on the floor below. The fire consumed 5 tons of PVC cable jacket in 10 hours. Heavy smoke spread rapidly throughout the plant causing hydrochloric acid damage. The contents of the entire five floor control building were totally destroyed with structured damage to some walls and floors. The cable spreading room had a manual sprinkler system but was not accessible during the fire. The loss was put at US $36million.