Fire at Yerevan substation causes widespread power outage

A fire at a key electrical substation in Yerevan on the night of December 28 left several residential areas without power. Power supply to the affected areas is expected to be restored by 10 p.m. local time on December 29, "Electric Networks of Armenia" company said. 

The fire broke out at the Vardashen substation, located on the road between Nubarashen Highway and the Erebuni Museum, and significantly damaged crucial equipment, Caliber.Az reports via Armenian media. 

The blaze was reported to have started at 00:12 and was localised within 41 minutes. Firefighters managed to fully extinguish the fire by 01:20, after it had consumed around 200 square meters of the substation's equipment.

The fire caused severe damage, destroying 23 6 kV cells and compromising equipment responsible for the relay protection of the substation's current and voltage systems. As a result, several areas in the Erebuni district, including the Sari-Tah quarter, Khorenatsi Street, Tigran Mets Avenue, and part of Charentsa Street, were temporarily left without electricity.

The incident has prompted an investigation by Armenian law enforcement authorities to determine the exact cause of the fire. In their statement, the Electric Networks company emphasised that they are cooperating with authorities and that the investigation will provide further insight into the situation once completed.

The company assured residents that restoration efforts are underway, with power expected to be fully restored by the evening of December 29.

By Sabina Mammadli