Transformer fire at Hoover Dam in Boulder City

What happened

On Tuesday morning, an explosion and fire were reported at the Hoover Dam in Boulder City. The Bureau of Reclamation said the A5 transformer caught fire at about 10 a.m. PDT and that the Reclamation/Hoover fire brigade extinguished it at about 10:30 a.m. PDT. Newsweek, citing KLAS-TV, reported that the dam's own fire personnel had the blaze under control before the local fire department arrived. The Bureau said there were no injuries to visitors or employees, that power was still being generated, and that there was no risk to the power grid. Tours were paused for about 30 minutes.

Contributing factors

Newsweek reported that the cause was a faulty transformer that exploded. In the same article, the Bureau of Reclamation said it was still investigating the cause of the fire. No further cause has been reported here.

Lessons learned

1. A site fire brigade can limit a transformer fire before the local fire service arrives.
2. Visible smoke at a powerhouse does not by itself mean generation or the wider grid has been lost; operators should confirm both.
3. Early public statements should separate what failed from what is still under investigation.

Source

newsweek.com