"fire broke at current-regulating transformer..."

Fires at transformers are one of a smelter’s worst nightmares. If not quickly contained the loss of power can spread and shutter a potline(s). Here is a recent incident highlighting the hazard of transformer fires.

An aluminium smelter successfully contained an industrial fire that broke out one morning in late December 2025 at one of the company’s current-regulating transformers.

The incident was handled promptly by the company’s emergency teams, in coordination with the (local ems departments), with no injuries reported. The company credited the outcome to effective emergency preparedness and rigorous safety procedures.

The (smelter) confirmed that production activities remain unaffected and are being closely monitored as a precaution, affirming its commitment to maintaining the highest safety and operational standards.

We are thankful that no one was injured in this transformer fire. We commend the smelter and local fire departments on planning and drilling for such an incident to occur. When it did the internal fire brigade knew how to respond and the external fire department provided the necessary support to extinguish this fire and prevent a stoppage of power to the smelter.

Does your workplace plan and drill on transformer fires? Though this incident was at a smelter. We have reported similar transformer fires at remelt, foundries, and die-casting plants.