Transformer fire at Tangedco substation near Kayathar contained after ten hours

What happened

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.

Contributing factors

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.

Lessons learned

1. Oil-filled transformers holding around 70,000 litres each need working nitrogen injection systems, as this unit's suppression system failed to operate.
2. Operators at multi-unit substations should isolate power to a faulted transformer at once, as this cut prevented spread to the other three units.
3. Substations with large oil volumes require pre-planned multi-agency response, given the ten-hour effort with seven tenders and foam.

More lessons on fire suppression and firefighting, spacing, layout and fire spread, from every incident on the register.

Not yet known

• Exact technical fault that ignited the oil
• Age and model of the affected transformer
• Cost of damage and repair time

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Source

The Hindu (thehindu.com)