Transformer fire causes damage at National Grid substation in Buffalo
Apr 2021Published 16 Sept 2026Responsible editor: Chief Editor
- Where
- National Grid substation on Elm Street in Buffalo, New York
- Operator
- National Grid
- What
- Transformer caught fire
- Injuries
- None reported
- Cause
- Under investigation
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Companies named in the reporting of this entry (being named is not a finding of fault): National Grid
What happened
A transformer caught fire at a National Grid substation on Elm Street in Buffalo, New York, near Michigan Avenue and East Eagle Street. The fire started around 6:45pm and produced a plume of black smoke visible across the city. Fire crews responded and were able to keep the fire contained, monitoring it until it burned itself out rather than actively extinguishing it. The incident did not lead to any major power outages and no one was injured. The fire caused an estimated 25,000 US dollars in damage. Fire investigators were looking into the cause of the transformer fire following the incident.
Contributing factors
Not reported.
Lessons learned
- Transformer fire at substation can create a black smoke plume visible across the city even when damage stays limited.
- Fire crews may monitor a contained transformer fire until it burns out rather than suppress it with water.
- Substation layout can stop a single transformer fire from causing major power outages to customers.
More lessons on emergency response and public communication, detection and monitoring, spacing, layout and fire spread, from every incident on the register.
Not yet known
- Transformer model and age
- Duration of any supply interruption
This entry is updated when these are reported. Get an alert for the next one like it.
Source
Other entries that name Buffalo
Published 2026-09-16. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.
