Transformer fire at Whiting substation causes power outage
Jan 2018Published 26 Sept 2026Responsible editor: Chief Editor
- Where
- JCP&L electrical substation in Whiting
- Operator
- JCP&L
- What
- Transformer fire
- Response
- Fire crews and power crews extinguished the fire and restored power within a few hours
- Cause
- Not reported
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Companies named in the reporting of this entry (being named is not a finding of fault): JCP&L
What happened
On 15 January 2018, a transformer fire at a JCP&L electrical substation in Whiting left nearly 4,200 customers without power for part of the afternoon. Fire crews and power crews extinguished the fire and restored power within a few hours. The cause was not reported.
Contributing factors
The cause of the transformer fire was not reported.
Lessons learned
- A transformer fire at a substation can leave thousands of customers without power, so operators should maintain alternative supply routes.
- Rapid joint response by fire crews and power crews can restore supply within hours after a substation transformer fire.
More lessons on outages, backup supply and restoration, fire suppression and firefighting, from every incident on the register.
Not yet known
- Cause of the transformer fire
- Transformer model and age
- Exact duration of the outage
- 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 2026-09-26. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.
