Transformer fire erupts at 220 kV power station near Indore, India

What happened

A fire broke out late at night in a transformer at a 220 kV power station on Jaitpura hill near Dharampuri in the Sanwer area, close to Indore, shortly after light rain had stopped. Flames rose quickly to a large size and were accompanied by a plume of smoke visible from a distance, along with explosion-like sounds reported by people nearby. Grid staff initially attempted to control the fire before more than eight fire tenders were called in.

Firefighters and electricity department personnel worked into the night to bring the fire under control, with efforts continuing until around 11.30pm. No injuries or casualties were reported. The cause of the fire had not been established at the time of reporting, and a technical investigation was underway alongside repair works at the site.

Contributing factors

The fire started in a transformer shortly after rainfall; no confirmed technical cause had been identified at the time of reporting, and investigation was ongoing.

Lessons learned

1. A transformer fire can produce explosion-like sounds and rapid flame growth after rain stops, so operators should fit early detection and remote isolation on all units.
2. Transformer fires at grid sites can require more than eight fire tenders, so insurers should check that local response capacity matches substation size.
3. A technical investigation into a transformer fire must continue alongside repairs, so operators should plan for parallel teams from the outset.

More lessons on detection and monitoring, investigation and fleet-wide checks, from every incident on the register.

Not yet known

• Transformer model and age
• Duration of any supply outage
• Cost of repairs

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Source

bhaskarenglish.in