Transformer fire at Tangedco substation near Kayathar contained after ten hours

A fire broke out around 4 a.m. at a power transformer in a Tangedco substation at Panikkarkulam village near Kayathar, Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu. A technical fault in one of four transformer units ignited the transformer oil, of which each unit holds around 70,000 litres, causing the fire to spread rapidly and produce thick black smoke. Power supply was cut to prevent the fire spreading to the other three units. Seven fire tenders from several nearby towns and two private firefighting vehicles were deployed, using water jets and foam extinguishers to cool the transformer, before sand was applied using JCB machines to fully extinguish the blaze. The fire was brought under control after about ten hours and fully doused by 4 p.m. Only the one unit was affected, with no disruption to public life reported.

Large volume of transformer oil (approximately 70,000 litres) fuelled the rapid spread of the fire, and the substation's nitrogen suspension fire suppression system failed to function as intended.

1. Fire suppression systems such as nitrogen injection units on oil-filled transformers should be regularly tested to ensure they function during an actual fault.
2. Rapid isolation of power to an affected transformer can help contain fire spread to adjacent units at multi-unit substations.
3. Substations handling large volumes of transformer oil warrant pre-planned, multi-agency firefighting arrangements given the scale and duration of fires that can result.

thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/massive-fire-breaks-out-at-transform...