Transformer explodes on hydro pole at Palmer Rapids residence

What happened

Early on a Sunday morning, hydro lines caught fire near Palmer Rapids after a transformer exploded at a residence in the area of Cottage Lane and Wishman Road. The local fire service was called after residents heard an explosion, but the fire continued until Hydro One arrived just after 10 a.m. and isolated the supply. The fire was out by 10.40 a.m. Hydro One said one household was affected and that the cause of the faulty transformer was not known.

Contributing factors

Hydro One said it did not know why the transformer failed. No other contributing factor was reported.

Lessons learned

1. A distribution transformer on a pole can fail explosively and set fire to the lines, even when local crews regard the failure as uncommon.
2. Crews should not apply water to energised lines; the network operator must isolate supply before firefighting.
3. The failed unit should be investigated promptly, because a single affected household can still leave the cause unknown at the time of the fire.

Source

mybancroftnow.com