High voltage transformer explodes and catches fire in Winnersh

What happened

On the afternoon of 8 January 2017, a high voltage transformer at an elevated substation in Arbor Lane, Winnersh, Berkshire, exploded and caught fire. A member of the public alerted emergency services after the electrical box exploded. Two fire crews from Wokingham and Wokingham Road fire stations attended the scene at around 3.10pm and remained for approximately one hour and fifteen minutes to extinguish the fire and make the area safe.

Arbor Lane was closed to traffic for around an hour while the incident was dealt with. The substation supplied electricity to homes in the surrounding area. The cause of the explosion was not known at the time and the network operator, SSE, was notified and began investigating.

Contributing factors

The cause of the explosion had not been determined at the time of reporting.

Lessons learned

1. High voltage transformers in elevated substations can explode without warning, so operators should check insulation condition during routine inspections to reduce risk of sudden failure.
2. Public alerts can start the response to substation fires, so operators should keep emergency services informed of site locations and hazards.
3. Roads near substations may need short closures after a transformer fire, so plans should include traffic management to protect the public.

More lessons on electrical protection and isolation, emergency response and public communication, from every incident on the register.

Not yet known

• Cause of the explosion
• Turbine or transformer model and age
• Duration of power supply interruption
• Cost of repairs and investigation

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

Source

getreading.co.uk