Substation fire cuts power to 40,000 units
Suspected cable theft triggers explosion in Campo Grande substation, leaving one man dead and thousands temporarily without electricity.
Image for illustrative pusposes
Brazil, Campo Grande: A power substation in Vila Progresso, Campo Grande (MS), caught fire early on 5 June, leaving approximately 40,000 consumer units without electricity. The fire followed a reported explosion around 4:30 a.m., which is believed to have been caused by an attempted cable theft.
Authorities suspect that a man broke into the substation intending to steal cables, leading to a short circuit and subsequent blaze. The man was found dead at the scene, severely burned, and is believed to have triggered the incident.
Emergency services, including the Fire Department, quickly responded to the scene and managed to contain the flames. The Civil Police and forensic experts also arrived to investigate.
Energisa, the utility company responsible for the substation, confirmed that the fire damaged equipment and disrupted the power supply. However, full restoration of electricity was achieved by 6:36 a.m.
In an official statement, Energisa stressed its commitment to safety, stating: “Energisa reinforces its policy of valuing the lives and safety of employees and the community. At the substation and in the surrounding area, there are warnings about the risk of accessing high voltage wires and equipment.”
Source: Canal Solar
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