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Grid infrastructureUnited KingdomEIR-0269

Substation transformer fire spreads to hedgerow near Burford village

May 2026Published 7 Sept 2026Responsible editor: Chief Editor

MinorElectricalProvisional
Estimated damageEstimated by the register's adjusterHow? Know the real figure?
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supply cut for about •• daysShown in the record →Full estimate
From the recordRoot cause hiddenFailed part hidden
Where
Substation near Burford village hall, close to Tenbury Wells
What
Twin pole-mounted transformer alight, fire spread to hedgerow
Injuries
None reported
Response
Two fire appliances from Shropshire and Herefordshire attended
Cause
Not reported

Companies named in the reporting of this entry (being named is not a finding of fault): National Grid

What happened

Firefighters were called to an electricity substation near Burford village hall, close to Tenbury Wells, after a twin pole-mounted transformer was found to be alight. The fire spread from the transformer to nearby hedgerow and undergrowth. Two fire appliances attended, with crews from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service assisted by colleagues from Herefordshire. The fire was extinguished using one hose reel jet, and a thermal imaging camera was used to check for remaining heat sources. National Grid also attended the scene. No injuries were reported in the source material, and no further details on cause, downtime or repair works were given.

Contributing factors

Not reported.

Lessons learned

  1. Pole-mounted transformer faults can ignite nearby vegetation, so operators should maintain hedgerow clearance around substations.
  2. Joint attendance by fire services and network operators supports safe isolation and extinguishment of substation fires.
  3. Thermal imaging cameras confirm full extinguishment of transformer fires before crews leave.

More lessons on maintenance, inspection and ageing assets, fire suppression and firefighting, detection and monitoring, from every incident on the register.

Not yet known

  • Cause of the fire
  • Transformer model and age
  • Downtime or repair costs

This entry is updated when these are reported. Get an alert for the next one like it.

Source

ludlowadvertiser.co.uk

Published 2026-09-07. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.

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