Electrical fault causes fire at Watford Gap services substation

What happened

An electrical fault caused a fire at a substation at the M1 Watford Gap services in Northamptonshire on 24 November 2022. Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service was called shortly before 11am to reports of smoke and found the substation well alight. Power had been lost at the northbound services and buildings were being evacuated. National Highways closed the entrance, and crews requested National Grid. After the electrics were isolated, two firefighters in breathing apparatus used a hose reel jet, with thermal imaging and a cooling spray.

The fire was out around 1pm. Staff were allowed back once temperatures were judged safe, and the fire service left the scene with National Grid shortly before 2pm. Roadchef said both north and south services were temporarily closed.

Contributing factors

The fire service attributed the blaze to an electrical fault. How the fault started is not reported.

Lessons learned

1. Isolate electrical equipment before crews enter a substation fire.
2. Use thermal imaging to check temperatures before people re-enter.
3. Coordinate early with the grid operator and the highways authority on access, cordons and evacuation.

Source

northantslive.news