Another APS substation catches fire; 50,000 without power

[FormerOstrich]

This article changed 4 times while I was trying to post. They have removed the "security" reference entirely. They are waiting on replacement equipment from damage from the first fire. Since the 1st fire all government offices are conserving by cutting back on air conditioning and lights. I have seen a lot of posts on DU recently regarding electricity/outages. Emphasis in article are mine.

btw....It is damn hot here right now

July 20, 2004 | Updated: 7:55 AM MST

50,000 lack power from 2nd fire
APS has stepped up security after a fire at an electrical substation early this morning left about 50,000 northwest Phoenix homes and businesses without power. It was the second substation fire in the area in two weeks.


Another APS substation catches fire; 50,000 without power
Associated Press
Jul. 20, 2004 07:35 AM

An electrical substation fire left approximately 50,000 northwest Phoenix residents and businesses without power early Tuesday.

It was the second substation fire in the area in two weeks.

However, a utility company spokesman said the fire was not of the same magnitude of a July 4 fire which had prompted daily requests from power companies for customers to conserve electricity.

....snip

It took fire crews two hours to control the blaze, said Assistant Chief Bob Khan, a spokesman for the Phoenix Fire Department.

Investigators didn't immediately know what caused the fire, but Khan said it was probably an internal problem. "Nothing seems suspicious at this time," he said.

The July 4 fire, which remains under investigation, destroyed a bank of transformers at a substation that is one of four that distribute power in the Phoenix area for APS and the Salt River Project, the area's two major electrical utilities.

...more


http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0720substation20-ON.html