Transformer explosion injures worker and cuts power in Hayward
Dec 2018Published 29 Oct 2026Responsible editor: Chief Editor
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What happened
On the evening of 26 December 2018, an electrical transformer exploded on Santa Clara Street near Ocie Way in Hayward, California. A PG&E employee had attended alone a voltage problem reported at about 9 p.m. Around 10.15 p.m. the transformer exploded, injuring the employee. According to police, the blast caused a power pole, a PG&E truck and another vehicle to catch fire. Police issued a temporary shelter-in-place order for residents in the area.
The outage affected 402 customers. Most had power restored overnight, but 18 customers remained without power until 1 p.m. the following day. The injured worker was taken to hospital, and his condition was not available the next day. PG&E said the incident is being investigated.
Contributing factors
The source does not state a cause. The employee responded alone to the voltage problem before the explosion. PG&E said the incident is under investigation.
Lessons learned
- Lone responders attending live electrical faults should follow a buddy or escalation procedure where the risk warrants it.
- Procedures for transformer faults should set safe standoff distances and account for the risk of fire spreading to nearby poles and vehicles.
- Utilities near residential areas should rehearse shelter-in-place and public communication for electrical fires.
More lessons on worker safety and safe systems of work, emergency response and public communication, from every incident on the register.
Source
Other entries that name Hayward
Published 2026-10-29. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.
