Fire at Windstream data center disrupts 911 services in Lincoln

What happened

On 2 September 2023, a fire at the Windstream data center in Lincoln, Nebraska, was said to have caused a transformer to short and explode, cutting power to the two main switches. The backup generator started and then failed, leaving the site reliant on battery power. As that power ran down, a switch supplying connectivity to 911 services in Gage, Otoe, Saunders and Adams counties was shut down. Other counties may also have been affected. Services were reported to be running again by Sunday morning.

Contributing factors

Lincoln Fire and Rescue said the fire was caused by a water leak that reached electrical equipment.

Lessons learned

1. Sites that carry emergency communications need layered backup power that is tested under load.
2. Water paths near electrical equipment should be inspected so a leak cannot reach live gear.
3. Operators should plan how public-safety connectivity will be kept if primary power and the generator are both lost.

Source

datacenterdynamics.com