Williams’ celebrations of Pastor Maldonado’s Spanish Grand Prix victory were cut dramatically short on Sunday afternoon after a fire broke out in the team’s garage around 90 minutes after the end of the race, engulfing the Barcelona pit lane in thick smoke.
Staff from Williams, Force India and Caterham took immediate action to extinguish the flames and circuit fire services arrived soon after. Several members of those teams were taken to the Circuit de Catalunya medical centre, though no serious injuries have been confirmed.
“Four team personnel were injured in the incident and subsequently taken to the medical centre,” said Williams in a statement. “Three are now receiving treatment at local hospitals for their injuries, while the fourth has been released. The team will monitor their condition and ensure they receive the best possible care.”
Force India said one team member was being treated for smoke inhalation, while Caterham confirmed a number of their personnel were receiving medical attention.
"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," said a Caterham statement.
The FIA later confirmed that a total of 31 people had been seen by the circuit medical centre. All were released bar seven, who have been transferred to local hospitals where they are receiving treatment.
Williams test driver Valtteri Bottas told UK F1 broadcasters Sky that there had been some kind of explosion in what is believed to have been the fuel area the garage while Sir Frank Williams was giving a victory speech to the team.
There was extensive damage to the garage, which contained Bruno Senna's car at the time of the fire, the Brazilian having retired early from the race after a collision with Mercedes' Michael Schumacher.
Williams, fire services and police are working together to determine the cause of the fire and the FIA is investigating the incident in collaboration with the Spanish authorities.
formula1.com
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