Grid infrastructureUnited KingdomEIR-1168

Deliberate fire at Govan substation cuts power to 1,000 homes

June 2017Published 22 Sept 2026Responsible editor: Chief Editor

Estimated damageEstimated by the register's adjusterHow? Know the real figure?

supply cut for about •• daysShown in the record →Full estimate

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Companies named in the reporting of this entry (being named is not a finding of fault): ScottishPower, SP Energy Networks

What happened

At around 6.30pm on 26 June 2017, a fire was deliberately started at an electrical distribution substation on Napier Drive in Govan, Glasgow. ScottishPower said the distribution box was completely destroyed by the fire, which was in a predominantly residential area, and that the incident caused a power cut affecting about 1,000 homes. Fire crews attended. Engineers from SP Energy Networks reconnected homes within a few hours by switching supplies on to another part of the electricity network, a temporary fix until a new substation could be installed and connected.

ScottishPower described the incident as vandalism and offered a £3,000 reward for information leading to a conviction. Police Scotland said enquiries were continuing and appealed for information. Casualties were not reported.

Contributing factors

The fire was reported by ScottishPower and Police Scotland as having been started deliberately at an unmanned electrical distribution substation in a residential area.

Lessons learned

Distribution substations in residential areas need physical security measures to deter unauthorised access and interference.
Network operators should maintain redundant switching capability so supplies can be restored quickly while permanent repairs or replacement assets are arranged.
Public communication about the dangers of tampering with electrical infrastructure supports both community safety and deterrence.

More lessons on theft, arson and site security, maintenance, inspection and ageing assets, emergency response and public communication, from every incident on the register.

Source

glasgowlive.co.uk

Other entries that name Govan

Substation fire in Govan leaves homes without power EIR-1901 · 2025
Fire at Napier Drive substation Govan destroys distribution box EIR-1247 · 2017

Published 2026-09-22. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.

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