Transformer explosion cuts power in Normal Heights, San Diego
Dec 2019Published 25 Sept 2026Responsible editor: Chief Editor
- Where
- Normal Heights area of San Diego, 3 December 2019
- What
- Power transformer exploded, sparking a small fire
- Response
- San Diego Fire-Rescue attended; flames did not spread
- Cause
- Not reported
- Outcome
- Power restored to 7,500 customers by 6:50 p.m.
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Companies named in the reporting of this entry (being named is not a finding of fault): SDG&E
What happened
On 3 December 2019, a power transformer exploded in the Normal Heights area of San Diego, in the 330 block of El Cajon Boulevard, and sparked a small fire. San Diego Fire-Rescue said the flames did not spread to nearby buildings. According to the SDG&E outage map, nearly 7,500 customers in University Heights, North Park, Normal Heights, Kensington, Talmadge and City Heights lost power from just after 5:30 p.m. An update at 6:50 p.m. said power had been restored in the Mid City area. The cause was still being assessed and has not been reported.
Contributing factors
The cause was not reported. SDG&E crews were assessing what caused the outage.
Lessons learned
- A single transformer failure can interrupt supply across several neighbouring districts at once, so operators should keep outage maps and restoration estimates current.
- Even a small fire at a street transformer needs a rapid check that flames have not reached nearby buildings.
- Publish a clear update when power is restored, and keep the cause separate from what is still under assessment.
More lessons on outages, backup supply and restoration, from every incident on the register.
Not yet known
- Cause of the transformer explosion
- Transformer model and age
- Cost of repairs and lost supply
This entry is updated when these are reported. Get an alert for the next one like it.
Source
Published 2026-09-25. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.
