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Grid infrastructureUnited StatesEIR-1333

Fire at new Bryan Texas Utilities substation on Texas A&M campus

June 2017Published 27 Sept 2026Responsible editor: Chief Editor

MinorElectricalProvisional
Estimated damageEstimated by the register's adjusterHow? Know the real figure?
Figure hidden: shown to subscribersLow confidence
supply cut for about •• daysShown in the record →Full estimate
From the recordRoot cause hidden
Where
Bryan Texas Utilities substation, Enterprise Avenue, College Station
Operator
Bryan Texas Utilities
What
Fire broke out after first activation of new substation
Injuries
None reported
Cause
Under investigation

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

What happened

On 14 June 2017 a fire broke out at the Bryan Texas Utilities substation on Enterprise Avenue on the Texas A&M campus after the new substation was activated for the first time, according to utility officials. College Station firefighters responded after power had been cut and extinguished the smoking equipment. No construction workers were injured. The cause was reported to remain under investigation.

Contributing factors

The cause was not reported. The source said only that the fire remained under investigation after the substation was activated for the first time.

Lessons learned

  1. First energisation of a new substation should include a clear check that equipment is de-energised before anyone approaches smoke or fire.
  2. Commissioning crews should be able to evacuate and account for people quickly if newly activated equipment catches fire.
  3. The cause of a fire during first activation should be investigated before the asset is returned to service, and the findings shared with the operator.

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

Not yet known

  • Equipment model and age
  • Downtime after the fire
  • Cost of the damage

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

Source

kbtx.com

Published 2026-09-27. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.

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