13/05/2012
NEWS STORY
Just two hours after winning today's Spanish Grand Prix fire engulfed the Williams garage leaving a number of people injured.
Although the exact cause of the fire is unclear as yet, it broke out shortly after the team had assembled for a group photo to celebrate Pastor Maldonado's victory, and while team members were packing up the gear including fuel drums.
"Terrible scenes in the pit lane," tweeted Lotus, "let's hope everyone is ok. Horrendous luck for Williams, fingers crossed for everyone down there."
Clare Williams, who pushed her father, team founder Frank Williams, to safety, told Reuters: "We have four people in the medical centre at the moment receiving precautionary care and I believe one has been flown off to hospital but that has not been confirmed.
It's believed that the other injured personnel came from the Caterham and Force India teams.
"Caterham F1 Team was involved in a fire that started in the Williams F1 Team's garage after the end of the Spanish Grand Prix," said the Anglo-Malaysian outfit in a statement. "All the team's employees have been accounted for and four people have been taken to the circuit medical centre for examination; one with a minor hand injury and three with respiratory issues. A further statement will be issued when more details about the incident are confirmed."
A Force India spokesperson confirmed that one of their crew had been taken to the circuit's medical centre where they were being kept under observation.
The fire was quickly brought under control through the combined intervention of staff from Williams, Caterham and Force India, supported by the circuit fire services.
The FIA subsequently confirmed that in total thirty-one team members were seen by the Circuit Medical Centre staff and all have been released, with the exception of seven who were transferred to a variety of local hospitals where they are receiving treatment.
The sport's governing body is now collaborating closely with the Spanish authorities investigating this incident and will provide further update as soon as more information becomes available.