Explosion at North Fort Worth power substation sparks fire and evacuations, officials say
FORT WORTH – An explosion at a power substation in North Fort Worth resulted in a massive fire Wednesday evening and the voluntary evacuation of nearby homes.
The incident off Seventeen Lakes Boulevard and Henrietta Creek Road was reported at about 7:15 p.m.
Late Wednesday, Fort Worth Fire Department spokesman Craig Trojacek said firefighters were in a "holding position," determining the next step of whether to let the blaze continue burning or suppress it.
According to Oncor, crews worked to disconnect all equipment so Fort Worth firefighters could begin extinguishing the blaze. Most customers were rerouted, leaving fewer than 50 without power. Electricity was fully restored around 9 p.m.
Trojacek said 20 homes were approached, but there was no mandatory evacuation.
Battling the fire required collaboration between Oncor and fire personnel to ensure the safety of nearby residents and responding firefighters, the Fort Worth Fire Department said on social media on Thursday.
"This was not an average structure fire where firefighters arrive and make an attack to extinguish the flames," fire officials said.
The approaching winter storm added complexity.
"As a wintry mix made its way towards the Metroplex, a massive power outage was not an option," the fire department said in its post.
The department's HazMat crews monitored air quality and found no concerns. A decision was made with Oncor engineers on how best to extinguish the fire quickly and safely.
Crews worked through freezing temperatures to ensure the fire was completely out and the scene was safe, avoiding a massive power outage, according to fire officials.
No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but Trojacek said there was no immediate evidence of foul play.