Fire at electrical substation in Bearsden, near Glasgow

What happened

Fire crews were called at around midday on 9 August 2022 to reports of a fire affecting an electrical substation within the West of Scotland Science Park in Bearsden, on the outskirts of Glasgow. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service mobilised four appliances, and crews remained on scene working to extinguish the fire. The fire service reported no casualties. The Beatson, which has a facility nearby, described the incident as a serious fire in an electrical substation near the Beatson Institute on the Garscube Estate. No cause was given in the reports available at the time.

Lessons learned

1. Substations located near research, medical or other occupied facilities need fire response plans that account for smoke and access, as nearby organisations may need to act quickly.
2. Operators should keep clear, public-facing information channels so that neighbouring sites can be told promptly that people are safe and what is being done.
3. Fire service response to substation fires depends on accurate site access details, so operators should share current site plans and isolation points with local fire and rescue services.

More lessons on emergency response and public communication, fire suppression and firefighting, from every incident on the register.

Source

glasgowlive.co.uk