Utility provider was warned about dangers in 2016
BC Hydro has apologized for an underground electrical vault fire and explosion that shook downtown Vancouver in February. It also admits it was warned the vault was dangerous seven years before the explosion.
On February 24 two people were injured and nearby businesses were seriously damaged when the underground electrical vault on Burrard Street suddenly blew up.
Fire due to some sort of explosion in #burrard street #Vancouver pic.twitter.com/cvEth6OdPY
— koshal garg (@koshal_kkg) February 25, 2023
BC Hydro enlisted the expertise of a third-party investigator to thoroughly examine the incident. The investigation revealed that the fire and explosion were caused by the accumulation of combustible gases, originating from a leaking gasket in the lid of an oil-filled switch. The leakage, in turn, resulted from the use of incompatible materials during the repair and maintenance of the gasket over time.
BC Hydro also scrutinized the documentation pertaining to the specific equipment involved in the incident. To their dismay, they discovered that significant risks had been previously identified.
In 2016, a comprehensive assessment of underground street vaults conducted by BC Hydro designated 14 vaults, including the one on Burrard Street, as high risks to public safety in case of a malfunction. The assessment emphasized that inadequate maintenance or replacement of the vaults could lead to severe injuries or even fatalities. The recommended deadline for replacing the equipment in the Burrard Street vault was 2018.
“I sincerely apologize to the individuals and businesses that were affected, as well as to those who live or work nearby and our employees. We let you down and this should have never happened,” says Chris O’Riley, president and CEO of BC Hydro. “Public and worker safety is our top priority. While I recognize that this incident does not reflect that, I am personally committed – along with the entire team at BC Hydro – to ensuring that safety comes first every day.”
As a response to the incident and the findings of the investigation, BC Hydro has immediately implemented several measures:
- Decommissioning of underground vaults containing oil-filled equipment that were identified as risks in 2016, thereby eliminating the associated hazards.
- Launching a comprehensive program review of other distribution street vault equipment. The review will be conducted by an independent third-party expert, with the first phase expected to be completed by the end of the summer and the second phase by March 2024.
- Engaging in open and transparent communication with regulatory bodies such as WorkSafeBC and the British Columbia Utilities Commission. BC Hydro aims to share the lessons learned from this incident with other utility companies.
BC Hydro says it is committed to preventing similar incidents in the future and by prioritizing public and worker safety, it aims to restore trust and maintain the utmost standards of reliability in its operations.
