The former wartime fortress known as Sealand, once home to offshore station Radio Essex and now a self-proclaimed independent state, is in ruins following a fire yesterday that forced the evacuation of the fort. The ‘Principality of Sealand’ lies six miles off the British coast between Felixstowe and Harwich. The fire started in a generator, and spread to other parts of the fort. Thames Coastguard, Harwich lifeboat, Felixstowe Coastguard rescue teams, firefighting tug Brightwell, and the RAF rescue helicopter from Wattisham were all called into action to tackle the blaze. A team of 15 offshore firefighters from the National Maritime Incident Response Group (MIRG) were also assembled but after a reconnaissance of the area from the air it was decided it was too dangerous to land. A spokesperson for Suffolk Fire Service confirmed the fire was left to burn itself out and was under control by 3.10pm.
(Source: East Anglian Daily Times)
Official website of the government of Sealand
on Jun 24th, 2006 at 12:55
More info and a very interesting clip here.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/5110244.stm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/england/realmedia/lookeast/cambs_tvbull.ram (Starts at 3mins 30 seconds)
on Jun 24th, 2006 at 16:46
Now (perhaps) the Marines can go out and (finally) remove it!