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Grid infrastructureUnited StatesEIR-0697

Lightning strike starts fire at FPL substation

2019Published 14 Sept 2026Responsible editor: Chief Editor

SignificantElectricalProvisional
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
Sistrunk substation, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Operator
FPL
What
Lightning strike caused large fire and power outage
Cause
Lightning strike
Outcome
Power restored by around 4 a.m.

What happened

A lightning strike was reported to have started a fire at the Sistrunk substation, described as an FPL substation in Fort Lauderdale, United States. Fort Lauderdale Police said the fire led to an outage in an area around Northwest 6th Street. WSVN reported that the outage affected more than 22,000 customers. Crews had power restored by 4 a.m. A witness reported loud explosions and intense heat.

Contributing factors

A lightning strike was reported as the cause. No further contributing factors are stated.

Lessons learned

  1. Lightning can start a fire at an operating substation and should be treated as a credible ignition source in response planning.
  2. A substation fire can cut supply to a large number of customers, so isolation and restoration plans need to be ready.
  3. Explosions and radiant heat near a substation fire can endanger people on nearby roads, so access control matters while crews respond.

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

Not yet known

  • Extent of equipment damage
  • Fire service response details
  • Formal investigation findings

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

Source

cw34.com

Published 2026-09-14. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.

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Substation and transformer fires: the counts, the latest entries and a free alert for the next one. Also: lightning strikes on energy assets.

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