FIREFIGHTERS battled overnight to stop a serious blaze at Didcot power station spiralling out of control.

More than 100 firefighters battled for 15 hours after the fire broke out in the main turbine hall at the coal-fired Didcot A plant just after 5pm on Monday.

The fire broke out in roof panelling above high-voltage electrical switchgear.

Incident commander Pete Cleary said the fire’s position in the roof made it “extremely difficult” to gain access and tackle the blaze.

Extra crews were brought in from Didcot, Abingdon and Wantage, along with a team from South Central Ambulance’s specialist hazardous area response team.

Crews remained on scene throughout most of yesterday to make sure the fire was completely out.

Mr Cleary praised the firefighters for their hard work.

He said: “Over the course of the incident, over 100 Oxfordshire firefighters on over 20 appliances and five specialist vehicles have been in attendance, to rotate crews and carry out continuous firefighting and monitoring.

“Bulk extinguishers and pulverised fuel ash from the power station were used to suppress the fire. Crews wearing breathing apparatus worked in arduous conditions from ladders within the large turbine hall to contain the fire within the roof, and prevent further spread, while working closely with staff on site due to the high risk posed by equipment contained within the rooms below.

“I would like to praise the efforts of all the personnel who attended, and the close working with colleagues to prevent a worsening of the situation in what was one of the most protracted and arduous incidents for some significant time.”

Fire investigators were still at the station yesterday trying to confirm what caught fire. It is not thought to have been deliberately caused.

Stewart Lilly, the county councillor for Sutton Courtenay and Harwell, said: “I think the crews need to be praised for doing a brilliant job of preventing what could have been potentially much more serious. It was not an easy task.”

Npower, which runs the site, said the station was fully operational again yesterday.

Spokesman Kelly Brown added: “The power station, staff, and the surrounding area were not in any danger, and normal operation at the station has not been affected.”

Crews from Didcot fire station arrived within six minutes of the 999 call just after 5pm on Monday.

Thames Valley Police, as well as on-site specialists from the power station, were also on hand to help.