Transformer explosion injures Dominion Energy worker at McLean headquarters
Sept 2024Published 3 Nov 2026Responsible editor: Chief Editor
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Companies named in the reporting of this entry (being named is not a finding of fault): Dominion Energy
What happened
On the morning of Monday 23 September 2024, an electrical transformer exploded outside the Mars headquarters building at 6885 Elm Street in McLean, Virginia, according to FFXnow. Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units were dispatched around 10 a.m. A firefighter then reported that the transformer had re-exploded and that there was exterior fire from a transformer next to the building. Responders had the fire under control by 10:10 a.m.
One person with serious burn injuries was flown to a local hospital by helicopter. A Dominion Energy spokesperson confirmed that one of its workers was injured. The source does not say whether the worker and the person flown to hospital are the same person, and the severity of the worker's injuries was not confirmed at publication. The Mars building was vacant ahead of planned demolition, and no firefighter injuries were reported.
Contributing factors
The source does not state the cause of the transformer failure. It reports that the transformer exploded and then re-exploded.
Lessons learned
- Keep exclusion zones around energy equipment during fault response, because a transformer can fail or re-fail after the first event.
- Confirm the status of transformers and adjacent buildings quickly after an explosion so responders can judge fire spread risk.
- Plan worker rescue and medical transport for burn injuries near live electrical equipment.
More lessons on spacing, layout and fire spread, worker safety and safe systems of work, from every incident on the register.
Source
Published 2026-11-03. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.
