Major Fire Damages Key Water Supply Infrastructure Serving Benidorm

A major fire has damaged a transformer at an electricity substation serving Benidorm and the wider Marina Baixa area, prompting urgent work to restore the affected equipment.

The incident happened at around 1.45am on Monday, October 12, at the El Algar substation, which plays an important role in the infrastructure used to supply water across the region.

The 10-megawatt transformer suffered serious damage in the blaze, which also affected nearby installations.

The Marina Baixa Water Consortium has confirmed that no injuries have been reported.

The damage is understood to be significant, and engineers are assessing the situation while work continues to identify the quickest way to restore the affected equipment.

One option is to install a replacement transformer held in reserve. However, specialist fitting work and the replacement of damaged cables would still be required, with a minimum shutdown period of around five days estimated for that option.

Repairing the damaged transformer itself could take at least two months, according to the information released about the incident.

Despite the disruption, the consortium has sought to reassure residents and municipalities that drinking-water supplies are guaranteed.

The incident is an important regional infrastructure story because the installation serves an area that includes Benidorm and other communities across the Marina Baixa.

Authorities will need to manage the consequences of the damage while work is carried out to restore the equipment and ensure the reliability of the system.

Residents and visitors should follow any further announcements from the relevant authorities for updates on the situation.