Substation fires

  • Let it burn. Burning electrical equipment is already ruined and will be replaced. Contact National Grid and wait for them to arrive. Under no circumstances should you enter the substation before National Grid personnel arrive.
  • Isolate the area at least 300 feet in all directions. Keep unauthorized persons away.
  • Be alert to the risk of transformer explosions, smoke hazards and oil releases. Stay upwind and consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 1,000 feet.
  • Monitor for oil runoff; direct it away from catch basins or surface waters.
  • If an equipment fire must be suppressed, utility personnel and your incident commander will tell you how to proceed.
Substation fire

If National Grid does not distribute electricity in your department’s response area, please coordinate your incident response with the appropriate local electric utility.