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Two firefighter-rescuers suffered smoke inhalation while extinguishing the major fire at an electrical substation on Tsitsernakaberd Highway in Yerevan on September 27. One of them was hospitalized, while the other received first aid at the scene, the Rescue Service said.
Both are in non-life-threatening condition.
The fire burned the transformer unit of the high-voltage substation, which contained about 30 tons of cooling oil. Extinguishing the fire was complicated by the intense heat generated by the flames, which limited firefighters’ and rescuers’ ability to approach the site and hindered the rapid progress of the firefighting operations.
The measures taken made it possible to protect the other substation from the fire. The fires that broke out in the basement and administrative building sections were contained and extinguished. The spread of the fire through the cable lines was also prevented.
At 17:07 on September 27, the 112 emergency management center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs received a report that an electrical substation was on fire on Tsitsernakaberd Highway.
Multiple first responders were dispatched to the scene.
Eleven firefighting crews worked at the scene, and an aerial ladder was also used.
The primary task of the firefighters and rescuers was to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading. A fire involving vegetation in the adjacent grass-covered area could have expanded the affected area and complicated firefighting efforts. The fight against the fire continued until late evening.
The firefighting operations, which lasted around four hours, were completed at 21:10, and the fire was extinguished.
Authorities separately reported that a criminal proceeding has been launched in connection with the fire.