Energy Incident Register
Register / Grid infrastructure / EIR-0518
← Back to the list
Grid infrastructureUnited KingdomEIR-0518

Transformer fire at Grimsby substation cuts power to shops and homes

Mar 2025Published 7 Sept 2026Responsible editor: Chief Editor

SignificantElectrical
Estimated damageEstimated by the register's adjusterHow? Know the real figure?
Figure hidden: shown to subscribersMedium confidence
supply cut for about •• daysShown in the record →Full estimate
From the recordRoot cause hiddenFailed part hidden
Where
Substation in the Friargate area of Grimsby
Operator
Northern Powergrid
What
Smoke from a transformer caused power cut
Outcome
Supply restored by 5pm

Companies named in the reporting of this entry (being named is not a finding of fault): Northern Powergrid

What happened

Fire crews were called to a substation in the Friargate area of Grimsby shortly before 2pm following reports of a fire. On arrival, firefighters found smoke coming from a transformer within the substation. The incident caused a power cut affecting thousands of people across the Freshney, Park, West Marsh and Yarborough wards of Grimsby. Multiple shops and businesses within the Freshney Place shopping centre had to close to the public as a result.

Traffic lights at Frederick Ward Way were also temporarily out of action. Northern Powergrid engineers attended and worked to restore supply, with some residents regaining power by around 3.20pm and full restoration expected by approximately 5pm the same day.

Contributing factors

Not reported beyond smoke being observed coming from a transformer in the substation.

Lessons learned

  1. Smoke from a substation transformer can cut power to thousands across several wards, so operators should check isolation switches and backup feeds for rapid rerouting.
  2. A transformer fault at a substation can force shops and traffic systems to close within hours, so network plans must include quick customer alerts and traffic light backups.

More lessons on electrical protection and isolation, from every incident on the register.

Not yet known

  • Cause of the smoke from the transformer
  • Transformer model and age
  • Cost of the outage and repairs

This entry is updated when these are reported. Get an alert for the next one like it.

Source

grimsbytelegraph.co.uk

Published 2026-09-07. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.

See the register's stories first in Google: add it as a preferred source.

Chart to reuse with this story: Grid infrastructure incidents in the United Kingdom, by year, free with a credit (PNG).

Grid infrastructure incidents in the United Kingdom: 117 entries, with a free alert for the next one.

Substation and transformer fires: the counts, the latest entries and a free alert for the next one.

Browse the full register or submit an incident.