Substation explosion on Gloucester Close cuts power in Chippenham
EIR-0387Provisional entry. Confirmed: a substation fire and explosion cut power to hundreds of Chippenham homes on 6 January 2026, with about 80 properties still affected hours later; the cause of the explosion and any injuries have not yet been reported and this account relies on a single local news source. No further update is scheduled; the entry stays provisional until new information is published.
A substation on Gloucester Close in the Queens Crescent area of Chippenham, Wiltshire, caught fire and exploded shortly after 6pm on 6 January 2026. At least one explosion was heard as the fire broke out, knocking out power to hundreds of homes in the town. Two fire crews, from Chippenham and Corsham, attended and remained on scene for at least two hours, also accessing a nearby garden to prevent the fire spreading to a house. Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSE) engineers attended to resolve the fault. Power was restored to most properties within a few hours, though around 80 homes remained without electricity into the evening, with restoration expected by 11pm the same day.
Not reported.
- Substation fires can cause both immediate safety hazards and prolonged, widespread power outages affecting hundreds of customers.
- Coordination between fire services and network operators is essential to contain fire spread to nearby properties while restoring supply safely.
- Clear and timely public communication of restoration timelines helps manage community impact during unplanned outages.
Published 2026-09-07. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.