The fire at Gvepseborg
The 1st of November 1944 will always stand as one of the most dramatic moments in the history of the Krossobanen cableway. At German-occupied Gvepseborg a fire started in a small office right beside a warehouse containing almost 800 kilos of dynamite, explosives and ammunition. The Germans were afraid that the whole thing would go up in a huge explosion, and therefore refused to help put out the fire. There was speculation that it was a case of sabotage, but it later turned out that the fire had started spontaneously, and that the Germans themselves had spilt some oil and petrol in the area, making it exceptionally easy for the fire to spread. In due course the fire spread to the dynamite and arms depot, at which point the exploding grenades started sending sparks and debris in all directions. The wind was blowing straight towards the Krossobanen cableway, and soon the roof of the carriage and machine hall had caught fire. Seen from Rjukan, the fire was a splendid, but horrific sight. Sparks shot up in an impressive firework display, whilst the explosions could be heard as distant, dull thuds.
The Germans also had an ammunition depot in the cellar of the upper station. If the fire had reached it, the whole upper station would have been blasted into smithereens. We can only wonder whether Krossobanen would have existed today if that had happened.
The Krossobanen cableway was completely destroyed by the fire. The electrics all burnt, the brackets holding the load-bearing cables melted, and the cables collapsed. The passenger carriage at Krosso was only slightly damaged.
Incredibly, no-one was killed by the fire.
Taken from Tom Nilsen and Helge Songe (2001), Krossobanen. Private publication.