Transformer explosion sparks fire, cuts power to homes in Turramurra
May 2025Published 7 Sept 2026Responsible editor: Chief Editor
- Where
- Roadside kiosk on Bannockburn Road, Turramurra, Sydney's north
- What
- High-voltage transformer caught fire and exploded
- Injuries
- None reported
- Response
- Six fire trucks and 22 firefighters contained blaze in 30 minutes
- Cause
- Under investigation
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What happened
A high-voltage electrical transformer at a roadside kiosk on Bannockburn Road, Turramurra, in Sydney's north, caught fire and exploded, with flames spreading towards an adjoining power pole and overhead wires. Fire and Rescue NSW crews attended and found around 11,000 volts of live electricity alight. Firefighters established a safety zone and used hose sprays from a distance to fight the fire safely, given the electrocution risk. It took six fire trucks and 22 firefighters about 30 minutes to contain the blaze, with a further 30 minutes to fully extinguish the fire and cool the transformer oil.
The incident cut power to more than 100 homes, some of which remained without electricity into the following morning. No injuries were reported. Energy officials and police are investigating the cause.
Contributing factors
Fire and Rescue NSW suggested one possibility was that a vehicle had struck the roadside transformer, pushing it off its mount and causing an internal short circuit, though this was not confirmed as the cause.
Lessons learned
- High-voltage live equipment requires a safety zone and hose sprays from a distance to avoid electrocution risk.
- Roadside transformers need physical protection such as bollards if vehicle impact can push them off mount and cause short circuit.
More lessons on worker safety and safe systems of work, electrical protection and isolation, from every incident on the register.
Not yet known
- Exact cause of the explosion
- Transformer model and age
- Cost of damage and repairs
This entry is updated when these are reported. Get an alert for the next one like it.
Source
Published 2026-09-07. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.
