Transformer fire at Pepco substation prompts evacuation in Washington DC

A large transformer caught fire at Pepco's Benning Service Center substation in Northeast Washington DC on a Wednesday afternoon in September 2025. DC Fire and EMS responded to reports of the fire and deployed foam and hazmat units to help extinguish the flames. Buildings adjacent to the transformer were evacuated as a precaution. Officials reported no injuries. Power to the affected equipment was partially isolated by crews before a water supply was established and firefighters began an active fire attack. Pepco stated that its teams were on site working with emergency personnel, and warned that emergent power outages could occur in the surrounding area as a result of the incident, though none had occurred at the time of reporting. The cause of the fire was under investigation.

Not reported. The cause of the fire was stated to be under investigation at the time of reporting.

1. Substation transformer fires can require sustained multi-unit fire service response including foam and hazmat resources, underlining the value of pre-planned emergency response arrangements between utilities and local fire services.
2. Precautionary evacuation of adjacent buildings during an active transformer fire is a reasonable protective measure even before the full extent of risk is known.
3. Utilities should have clear public communication protocols to advise on potential outages during equipment fires, helping manage community expectations and safety during the event.

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