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Grid infrastructureUnited StatesEIR-0309

Transformer fire cuts power to dozens of buildings in Youngstown, Ohio

Mar 2026Published 7 Sept 2026Responsible editor: Chief Editor

MinorThermal / fire
Estimated damageEstimated by the register's adjusterHow? Know the real figure?
Figure hidden: shown to subscribersMedium confidence
supply cut for about •• daysShown in the record →Full estimate
From the recordRoot cause hiddenFailed part hidden
Where
South Phelps Street in downtown Youngstown, Ohio
Operator
Ohio Edison
What
Transformer fire at 11pm
Response
Firefighters attended then Ohio Edison de-energised it
Cause
Not reported

Companies named in the reporting of this entry (being named is not a finding of fault): FirstEnergy, Ohio Edison

What happened

A transformer fire occurred around 11pm on South Phelps Street in downtown Youngstown, Ohio. Firefighters responded and observed heavy smoke coming from the transformer grate. Once the smoke subsided, Ohio Edison crews were called to de-energise the transformer. The fire caused power outages affecting up to 36 buildings in the surrounding area overnight, including the OH WOW! Science Center and the Purple Cat building. As of the following morning, 12 customers remained without power, with FirstEnergy expecting restoration by 10:30am. The cause of the fire was unknown at the time of reporting, though crews suspected that heavy water from storms the previous night may have played a role.

Contributing factors

Crews suspected that heavy water from storms the previous night may have contributed to the transformer fire, though the cause was not confirmed at the time of reporting.

Lessons learned

  1. Distribution transformers can fail after heavy rain if water enters the unit, so operators should inspect them following storms.
  2. Fire crews cannot approach live electrical equipment, so utility crews must de-energise before they enter the area.
  3. Transformer fires can leave dozens of buildings without power overnight, so operators should give clear restoration times to customers.

More lessons on weather and external hazards, fire suppression and firefighting, outages, backup supply and restoration, from every incident on the register.

Not yet known

  • Exact cause of the transformer fire
  • Transformer model and age
  • Total cost of the incident

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

Source

wfmj.com

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

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