At approximately 2 p.m. on June 13, 2024, the Frisco Fire Department responded to a grass fire on Legacy Drive. Upon arrival, they found an underground electrical transformer on fire.
According to the city of Frisco, around 2,500 customers, including the Star, Omni and Keurig- Dr. Pepper, were without power due to the fire in the 3900 block of Legacy Drive.
Due to the electrical fire, the Frisco Fire Department also responded to two elevator rescues in nearby buildings.
Oncor was also called to the location and estimated that power would be restored at the Ford Center by 5:30 p.m., with power for the surrounding areas fixed by 7 p.m. "No one was injured and power has been restored," Frisco Fire Department Fire Marshal and Public Information Officer Kelly Kistner told Local Profile.
According to Firetrace International, a manufacturer of fire detection and suppression systems, transformers can catch fire due to electrical and mechanical failures. Mechanical failure occurs when internal components of the transformer are damaged. Factors like extreme weather, seismic activity and physical handling during shipping and installation can cause this damage.
Electrical disturbances, such as animal intrusion and insulation deterioration, can also lead to transformer failure. The most frequent cause is a lightning strike, which can damage cables or equipment, causing an excessive amount of energy to flow into the transformer, potentially resulting in fire or explosion.
The likelihood of transformer failure varies significantly between utilities and transformer types. However, the average annual rate of major failures is typically between 0.9% and 1.0%. Over a 40-year service life, this translates to an expectation that 2.4% to 4% of all transformers will cause a fire.
Don't miss anything Local. Sign up for our free newsletter.