A fire broke out at a substation of the 350-megawatt Electricity Generation Company of Bangladesh (EGCB) power plant in Siddhirganj, Narayanganj.
The fire service’s quick action in the incident on Friday (May 1) afternoon prevented a major explosion and damage.
According to eyewitnesses and fire service sources, a sudden loud noise was heard from the 300 MVA 230/132 kV transformer at the Siddhirganj grid substation around 5:30 pm on Friday. Within moments, thick black smoke started coming out from around the transformer and the fire spread quickly.
Immediately after receiving the information, two units of Adamjee EPZ Fire Service quickly reached the spot and started working to control the fire. The fire was brought under control after about half an hour of combined efforts by the fire brigade.
According to fire service sources, the transformer had about 100,000 liters of oil in it. If the fire had not been brought under control quickly, it could have caused a major explosion and completely destroyed the transformer worth 3 billion taka.However, the power plant was saved from this huge financial loss and major accident thanks to the actions of the fire service.
Adamjee Fire Service Station Master Miron Mia said, “As soon as we received the information, our units reached the spot and started working. The situation is completely normal at present. There were no major casualties.”
The exact cause of the fire was not immediately known. However, it is initially believed that the fire may have started due to a technical fault in the transformer or excessive heat. The relevant authorities are seriously investigating the matter.