TenneT high-voltage substation fire in Meeden requires controlled burn-out

A major fire broke out at a TenneT high-voltage substation in Meeden, Netherlands, on Saturday evening around 7:00 PM. The blaze involves a large amount of flammable cooling oil located in basements that are currently unsafe for firefighters to access. As a result, emergency services have decided to let the fire burn out in a controlled manner.

To prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent installations, firefighters are using water to cool surrounding equipment, employing tools such as fire-fighting robots and drones. The incident was escalated to GRIP 2 status to improve coordination between emergency services. Although the substation was shut down as a precaution, electricity was successfully rerouted, preventing any power outages in the region.

Authorities have issued warnings regarding heavy smoke and odors, which may persist until Tuesday or Wednesday morning. Residents are advised to stay indoors, close windows and doors, and turn off mechanical ventilation. While the smell is not considered harmful to health, soot and particles may settle on surfaces; residents are encouraged to wash garden produce and outdoor objects with soap and water.