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Grid infrastructureUnited StatesEIR-1203

Underground transformer explosion cuts power near Dupont Circle, Washington

Oct 2019Published 24 Sept 2026Responsible editor: Chief Editor

SignificantElectricalProvisional
Estimated damageEstimated by the register's adjusterHow? Know the real figure?
Figure hidden: shown to subscribersMedium confidence
supply cut for about •• daysShown in the record →Full estimate
From the recordRoot cause hiddenFailed part hidden
Where
Underground transformer, Northwest Washington DC
Operator
Pepco
What
Transformer explosion cut power to 421 residents and closed a street
Cause
Under investigation

Companies named in the reporting of this entry (being named is not a finding of fault): Pepco

What happened

Early on 30 October 2019, an underground transformer exploded in the 1400 block of 17th Street, NW, in north-west Washington, near Dupont Circle. WJLA reported power cuts for roughly 420 to 421 residents. Officials closed 17th Street between P Street and Massachusetts Avenue. Pepco said power was scheduled to be restored by 9 a.m. the same day. The cause was reported as still under investigation, and the report was marked as developing.

Contributing factors

Not reported. Officials said the cause of the explosion was under investigation.

Lessons learned

  1. An underground transformer failure can close a street and cut supply before the cause is known.
  2. Give a clear restoration time and update it if the investigation changes the schedule.
  3. Keep the public closure in place until the vault or street is confirmed safe.

More lessons on outages, backup supply and restoration, investigation and fleet-wide checks, emergency response and public communication, from every incident on the register.

Not yet known

  • Cause of the explosion
  • Whether power was restored by 9 a.m.
  • Whether anyone was injured

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

Source

wjla.com

Published 2026-09-24. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.

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Substation and transformer fires: the counts, the latest entries and a free alert for the next one. Also: transformer explosions.

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