Clark, Pampanga (CNN Philippines) — The Metals Industry and Research Development Center of the Department of Science and Technology (MIRDC-DOST) promised to provide updates regarding the fire incident involving the light hybrid road train in Clark Freeport last January 14 once the investigation is completed.
Related: Clark hybrid train catches fire during dry run
According to Dr. Rio Pagtalunan, division chief of the MIRDC-DOST and also the project head of the road train, initial investigations revealed that battery connection cables got loose due to vibration, causing sparks which may have melted the cable insulation. This produced smoke and resulted in the fire.
Pagtalunan also said investigators are also looking into the possibility that the batteries were defective. If they were, it would mean that they could not withstand the high current that led to an increase in temperature, and eventually melted the battery parts and cables, causing the fire.
The MIRDC chief added that they would be replacing defective batteries, and would probably resume operations on January 27.
The Clark Development Corporation President and CEO Atty. Arthur Tugade, meanwhile, said the road train would still be under trial and demonstration for the next two months to avoid similar incidents.
Tugade also clarified that the road train would be an alternate mass transport system inside the freeport and would not replace public utility vehicles in Clark.
He added that the light hybrid road train would be an addition to the transport needs inside Clark with the growing requirements of locators and establishments there.
