My thermodynamics professor was there as a young scientist when this happened. From what he told us (probably in clear breach of the Official Secrets Act) this was a truly terrifying accident. The absence of temperature data meant that it was impossible to know how extensive the fire was or what remedies would work. Eventually, in desperation, water was used despite the clear hazard of creating a catastrophic Hydrogen/Oxygen explosion. My professor recalled being sent up these towers to monitor any radiation release, perhaps an early example of "this is a job for the intern".