Substation transformer explosion sparks fire and outages in Chattanooga

What happened

A transformer exploded on a Saturday morning near P.S.C. Metals on West 19th Street in Chattanooga, Tennessee, igniting a fire. Flames from the explosion spread up the exterior wall of the P.S.C. Metals building and extended inside the structure. Firefighters extinguished the fire before it could cause significant interior damage. The explosion caused a power outage in the surrounding area, which resulted in people becoming stranded in elevators at two separate locations.

Firefighters rescued occupants from one elevator, while occupants of the other elevator were freed once power was restored. The local utility, EPB, and a subcontractor responded to repair the damaged substation. No injuries were reported as a result of the fire or the outage.

Lessons learned

1. A substation transformer explosion can spread fire to an adjacent building wall, so operators should check clearances and fire barriers around substation equipment.
2. A substation transformer fault can cause local outages that strand people in elevators, so utilities should map critical loads and plan for rapid isolation.

More lessons on spacing, layout and fire spread, electrical protection and isolation, from every incident on the register.

Not yet known

• Cause of the transformer explosion
• Transformer model and age
• Duration of the power outage
• Cost of repairs and lost supply

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Source

newschannel9.com