Cardiff, Wales – Emergency services swarmed Cardiff city center on Wednesday night, responding to a fire at an electricity substation near the Brewery Quarter. The incident prompted a closure of part of St Mary Street, with a large police and fire service presence on the scene. Initially reported as an “explosion,” the situation required several fire trucks and support from specialist officers, Welsh Water, the National Grid, and South Wales Police.
The road closure extended from Wood Street to Mill Lane, with photos showing the significant presence of emergency vehicles and a temporary cordon near the Brewery Quarter. South Wales Fire and Rescue Service officials confirmed receiving a call about the incident at 7.06pm, clarifying that it was not an explosion upon arrival, although details regarding the nature of the incident remained undisclosed.
National Grid Electricity Distribution reported that 246 customers were affected by the fire at the substation, with power initially restored to 179 customers within an hour. However, engineers worked through the night to fully restore power to all affected customers. An investigation into the cause of the fire was promptly launched to address the disruption and inconvenience caused.
As the evening progressed, traders in Cardiff city center described a loud bang near St Mary’s Street and Wood Street, followed by the sight of smoke emerging from the Brewery Quarter. Although the incident seemed to stem from an electrical fault leading to an explosion, the exact cause was yet to be confirmed by emergency services. Businesses in the vicinity experienced power outages as emergency responders worked diligently to address the situation.
The evening’s events unfolded against the backdrop of a separate incident in the city center earlier in the day, where a body was discovered in Mill Lane. Authorities confirmed that the two incidents were unrelated, with police continuing to investigate the sudden death of an individual found in an outdoor seating area. Amid the dual occurrences, challenges persisted in Cardiff, underscoring the essential role of emergency services and first responders in maintaining public safety.