Electricity substation fire disrupts power in Hoddesdon High Street

What happened

Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service was called at 10:25pm on 14 June 2023 to a fire in an electricity substation off Conduit Lane in Hoddesdon. Six fire engines attended and found the substation well alight. Power to the nearby area was disrupted, including most of the High Street, and Hoddesdon Library was closed the following morning. Firefighters checked that the fire had not spread to neighbouring buildings, ventilated smoke from nearby flats, and worked with UK Power Networks to isolate the supply and extinguish the fire.

The fire was out by 2am. Police reported no damage to businesses or property from the fire. UK Power Networks engineers attended to assess the damage and restore supply. A resident said power was back by 9:15am.

Lessons learned

1. Rapid coordination between fire services and network operators is essential to isolate supply and limit fire spread.
2. Substation fires can cause extended local power outages affecting businesses and public buildings.
3. Early ventilation of smoke from adjacent residential properties reduces secondary risks.

Source

hertfordshiremercury.co.uk