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Grid infrastructureUnited KingdomEIR-0519

Fire at National Grid substation on Albert Road, West Bridgford

Mar 2025Published 7 Sept 2026Responsible editor: Chief Editor

MinorElectrical
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 hidden
Where
Albert Road substation, West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire
Operator
National Grid
What
Small electrical fire affecting supply to 200 homes
Cause
External third-party damage, not internal equipment failure
Outcome
Supply restored in six hours; substation operational weeks later

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

What happened

A small electrical fire broke out at the National Grid electrical substation on Albert Road in West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, affecting the power supply to around 200 nearby homes. Residents in the vicinity were advised to remain indoors with windows and doors closed while the fire was brought under control. Electricity supply was restored to all affected properties within about six hours. A subsequent investigation by National Grid concluded that the fire did not originate from the substation kiosk itself and was not the result of failed electrical equipment on site, indicating that external, third-party damage was the likely cause. The substation was later confirmed to be fully operational again, several weeks after the fire.

Contributing factors

An investigation attributed the fire to third-party damage rather than an internal equipment failure, though the specific nature of that damage was not detailed in the source.

Lessons learned

  1. Third-party damage at a substation kiosk can cause fire and outage, so operators should check perimeter security and external impact monitoring.
  2. Public advice to stay indoors with windows closed during a substation fire limits exposure while response teams work.

More lessons on theft, arson and site security, emergency response and public communication, from every incident on the register.

Not yet known

  • Specific nature of the third-party damage
  • Exact downtime after initial six-hour restoration
  • Cost of repairs and investigation

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

Source

BBC News (bbc.co.uk)

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

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