Short circuit sparks fire in power lines at Lucknow

What happened

On a Monday evening in October 2026, a short circuit set fire to electricity wires strung on poles at Dubagga, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Local residents telephoned the substation and asked for supply to be switched off. Electricity workers attended the site, repaired the fault and isolated the supply. The 11 kV feeder in the Vinamrakhand area of Gomti Nagar was then re-energised. Residents in Ahibarnapur, Aliganj and Itaunja were also affected by power interruptions.

Separately, farmers' union representatives submitted a memorandum to the Malihabad sub-divisional magistrate. The memorandum asked for new poles where they were missing, removal of high-tension lines passing over houses, and replacement of dilapidated wires and poles. The report does not state any injuries.

Contributing factors

The source attributes the fire to a short circuit in overhead distribution wires. Farmers' representatives said there was a shortage of poles in some villages of Malihabad block, that high-tension lines pass over homes, and that wires and poles in the area are dilapidated. The source does not link these conditions directly to this fault.

Lessons learned

1. Overhead conductors and poles that show deterioration should be inspected and replaced on a planned basis, not only after a fault.
2. High-tension lines should not pass over occupied dwellings, and clearances should be checked where housing has grown near the network.
3. Fast fault isolation through clear communication between the public, the substation and field crews limits the time a fire or live conductor remains a hazard.

More lessons on maintenance, inspection and ageing assets, electrical protection and isolation, from every incident on the register.

Source

livehindustan.com