Substation transformer fire cuts power to about 15,000 people near Brea mall
Dec 2019Published 17 Sept 2026Responsible editor: Chief Editor
- Where
- Substation near Imperial Highway and Associated Road in Brea, California
- Operator
- Southern California Edison
- What
- Transformer fire caused power outage affecting about 15,000 people
- Cause
- Under investigation
- Outcome
- Power restored to most areas by around 6.30pm
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Companies named in the reporting of this entry (being named is not a finding of fault): Southern California Edison
What happened
A transformer fire at a substation near Imperial Highway and Associated Road in Brea, California, caused a power outage affecting approximately 15,000 people across Placentia, Fullerton and Brea, including the Brea Mall and the Brea Civic Center. Brea Fire Department responded to the fire, which was reported at around 5.15pm. Shoppers inside the darkened mall used phone flashlights and were reported to have been escorted out calmly. Power was restored to most areas by around 6.30pm.
Traffic signals in the affected area lost power, and motorists were advised to treat intersections as four way stops while signal maintenance continued. A spokesperson for Southern California Edison said crews were still working to determine what triggered the fire, which the utility said occurred at one substation.
Contributing factors
Not reported. Southern California Edison stated crews were still working to determine what triggered the fire at the time of reporting.
Lessons learned
- A substation transformer fire can cut supply to commercial sites and traffic signals, so operators should map these dependencies for quick restoration.
- Traffic signals without power increase road risk, so utilities must issue clear public advice on four-way stops during outages.
More lessons on outages, backup supply and restoration, emergency response and public communication, from every incident on the register.
Not yet known
- Exact cause of the transformer fire
- Transformer model and age
- Cost of damage and repairs
- Duration of full supply restoration
This entry is updated when these are reported. Get an alert for the next one like it.
Source
Published 2026-09-17. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.
