Electricity substation reported to have exploded twice in Swanage

What happened

An electricity substation off West Durlston Lane in Swanage was reported to have exploded twice over a weekend in May 2023. Two crews from Swanage Fire Station attended. Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service said it was called at 4.33pm after reports of an explosion, and that the fire was out on arrival. The area was cordoned off and made safe. One crew left at 5.09pm and the other stayed until electricity engineers arrived at 6.42pm.

The incident was handed to the electricity board. It was understood that no one was injured. The same report gives both Sunday 21 May and a call the previous afternoon, so the exact day is not settled.

Contributing factors

Not reported.

Lessons learned

1. Treat a report of more than one explosion as an ongoing event until the network operator confirms the site is stable.
2. Keep the area cordoned and supervised after a fire is out until electricity engineers take over.
3. Record call, departure and handover times so the period before the operator arrives is clear.

Source

bournemouthecho.co.uk