Transformer fire in Feilding leaves one person in hospital
Sept 2024Published 25 Oct 2026Responsible editor: Chief Editor
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What happened
On Tuesday 17 September 2024, an electric transformer caught fire outside the police station in Feilding, New Zealand. A person was taken to Palmerston North Hospital in a moderate condition. St John ambulance, a rapid response unit and an operations manager were called to the scene at about 11.30am. Fire and Emergency said the blaze was already out when its crews arrived. Powerco said the safety of its people, service providers and the public was its top priority, and its general manager electricity said her thoughts were with the contractor involved.
Contributing factors
Not reported in the source.
Lessons learned
- Network operators should keep transformers and their surroundings under regular inspection so that faults are found before they produce fire.
- Anyone working near energised transformers needs clear isolation and emergency procedures, and the public should be kept clear of the area.
- Fire and ambulance services should be notified quickly and given access to the site, even where a fire has already gone out, because people may still be hurt.
More lessons on maintenance, inspection and ageing assets, worker safety and safe systems of work, emergency response and public communication, from every incident on the register.
Source
Published 2026-10-25. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.
