Cable fault starts fire at Cockenzie substation in Scotland

What happened

On a Sunday afternoon in August 2024, at about 3.54pm, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to a fire at Cockenzie Substation, on the former Cockenzie Power Station site in East Lothian. Four fire appliances and specialist resources were sent to the scene, where the fire was affecting a transmission substation. Police Scotland assisted with traffic. East Lothian Council advised people to stay away from the area as a precaution while the incident was ongoing.

The fire service later reported that crews left after making the area safe. ScottishPower, which owns the substation, said the fire was not being treated as suspicious and was started by a fault on a cable within the substation. An SP Energy Networks spokesperson reported that there was no further damage. Local community councils said residents were alarmed by the fire.

Contributing factors

A fault on a cable inside the substation is stated by the owner as the cause. The owner said the fire was not treated as suspicious. No further contributing factors were reported.

Lessons learned

1. Cable faults inside substations can start fires that affect transmission equipment, so cable condition inspection matters.
2. Operators should keep public messaging ready, since nearby residents and councils may be asked to stay away while an incident is ongoing.
3. Owners should state the cause publicly where a fire near homes may cause concern.

More lessons on electrical protection and isolation, emergency response and public communication, from every incident on the register.

Source

thenational.scot