AC unit blamed for Japan nuke plant fire

KASHIWAZAKI, Japan, April 13 (UPI) -- A weekend fire at the shut-down Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant in Japan likely means its start-up date will be pushed back, officials say.

The Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s nuclear power plant has been idle since it was struck by an earthquake in July 2007. One of its seven reactors had been expected to be allowed to restart soon following an April 21 prefectural assembly meeting, The Mainichi Daily News reported Monday.

However, the Saturday night fire, thought to have been started by an overheated motor in an air conditioning unit, may change that time table. The blaze was the ninth fire since repair work started after the quake, the newspaper said. The power company received written orders to investigate the blaze and prevent any future fires.

"After repeated warnings, it's extremely unfortunate to have to issue this as an order," the Kashiwazaki fire department said.

"We are working to improve fire safety measures, and we'd like to apologize for the worry we've caused to all the residents in the area," site superintendent Akio Takahashi said.