Arc and fire at Network Rail's Godinton substation in Ashford injures worker
2018Published 6 Oct 2026
Companies named in this entry: Network Rail
What happened
At the end of 2018 an electrical arc and fire broke out at Network Rail's Godinton substation in Ashford while employees were working there. One employee suffered third degree and mixed depth burns. The fire led to a total closure of mainline and high-speed rail services in the area and left many people stranded. An investigation by the Office of Rail and Road found that conditions in the substation were unsafe.
Repeated failures to fix water leaks and maintain dehumidifiers had caused excess moisture, and conditions were described as like a sauna. Network Rail had known of the water leak for nine months, and the required work had been repeatedly delayed despite concerns from staff and contractors. Kent Live reported in April 2021 that Network Rail pleaded guilty to an offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act and was ordered to pay a fine of 696,666 pounds and costs of 33,647.45 pounds at Folkestone Magistrates' Court.
Contributing factors
The source reports repeated failures to fix a known water leak and to maintain dehumidifiers, leading to excess moisture. The leak was known for nine months and repair work was delayed despite concerns raised by staff and contractors. The court found the system of work was not robust enough and that training did not adequately warn technicians of the dangers of working near live equipment in damp conditions.
Lessons learned
- Water ingress into a substation is a safety risk, not only a building defect, and should be fixed as a priority.
- Humidity control equipment such as dehumidifiers needs scheduled maintenance and a clear response when it fails.
- Concerns raised by staff and contractors about site conditions should be tracked to closure with clear deadlines.
- Training for technicians should cover the higher arc risk of working near live equipment in damp conditions.
- Before work starts, a site condition check should be able to stop work when moisture levels are unsafe.
Source
Published 2026-10-06. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.