Deliberate fire damages NIE substation in Quay Lane, Enniskillen, cutting local power

What happened

In the early hours of Wednesday 14 October 2020 the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) attended a fire at an NIE substation and water pump station on Quay Lane, Enniskillen. The fire was reported at 1.06am. Three appliances attended, two from Enniskillen Fire Station and one from Irvinestown Fire Station, and firefighters used four jets to put out the fire. It was under control by 4.02am. NIFRS said the cause was believed to be deliberate ignition.

A number of local residents and businesses were left without electricity. Earlier that night, at 12.11am, NIFRS had attended a bin fire in the same area, also believed to be deliberate. A local councillor said the substation building had been wrecked, repairs would be costly, and anti-social behaviour had been ongoing in the Quay Lane car park.

Contributing factors

NIFRS believed the fire was started deliberately. A local councillor said there had been ongoing anti-social behaviour in the car park where the substation stands, despite recent police fines and warnings.

Lessons learned

1. Substations in public car parks or other areas with known anti-social behaviour need stronger physical security, lighting and monitoring.
2. Operators should share information with police about local trouble near their sites so that patrols can be targeted.
3. Fires near critical buildings should be treated as a risk to the asset even when they start in bins or rubbish.

Source

impartialreporter.com