Fire reported at Corpoelec substation in El Manzano, Barquisimeto

What happened

On Sunday 18 October 2026, residents of El Manzano, a sector south of Barquisimeto in Iribarren municipality, reported a fire at an electrical substation belonging to the state company Corpoelec, according to El Impulso. Residents shared images and video on social media and in community reporting groups, and expressed concern that the fire could reach key components and cause prolonged blackouts in El Manzano and nearby areas. Firefighters from Iribarren municipality were reported to be on site trying to put out the flames. The article does not mention injuries, and it said an official statement on the extent of damage and the effect on power supply was awaited.

Contributing factors

The cause of the fire has not been reported.

Lessons learned

1. Substations need fire detection, suppression and clear isolation procedures so that a fire in energised equipment can be contained quickly and safely.
2. Operators should issue early, factual public statements when a fire is reported at critical infrastructure, because unconfirmed community reports can spread faster than official information.
3. Fire services attending an electrical site should be briefed in advance on access routes, electrical hazards and who to contact at the utility to confirm isolation.

More lessons on worker safety and safe systems of work, spacing, layout and fire spread, fire suppression and firefighting, from every incident on the register.

Source

elimpulso.com