Armadale blaze: Power giant offers £5k reward after blaze at electrical substation

SP Energy Networks is offering a £5000 reward after a serious fire at an electrical substation in Armadale led to power supplies being cut from over 1,000 homes and businesses.

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The fire, which is suspected to have been started deliberately, took hold of the Oliphants Engineering substation close to Lower Bathville at around 2.45pm on the 30 May.

The substation enclosure was completely destroyed by the fire and the electrical equipment damaged beyond repair. Luckily the fire did not spread or cause any injuries.

Emergency services were called to an address in the Lower Bathville area of Armadale on Sunday

Engineers from SP Energy Networks managed to reconnect most customers within 10 minutes by isolating power to the substation and temporarily switching supplies onto another part of the electricity network.

A works crew is in the process of installing a new substation at the site, securing local power supplies and restoring the network to normal.

READ MORE: West Lothian Police appeal for witnesses after ‘deliberate’ fire

Ross Galbraith, SP Energy Networks District Manager for the area, said: “Vandalism to electricity distribution network can often result in power loss to communities, cause fires and has the potential to result in serious harm to those responsible. Those carrying out such acts not only risk serious injury but also loss of life.

“It is suspected that this fire was started deliberately, and it beggars belief that anyone could risk their own life or the lives of local people in this way if this fire had spread.

“We are supporting police enquiries into this incident and we would also encourage anyone who has any information on those responsible to come forward.”

SP Energy Networks is also encouraging anyone who can provide information on the incident to either contact the Police through the national 101 telephone number or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or to call the company’s 24-hour hotline on 0800 092 9290.

It will pay £5000 to anyone who provides information which eventually leads to the conviction of any of those responsible.

READ MORE: Paedophile hunter sting: Armadale pervert caught trying to groom a girl he believed was just 12 years of age

Police Scotland has also appealed for witnesses.

Detective constable Marc Lunn said: “Thankfully nobody has been injured as a result of the incident but substantial damage has been caused.

“I would ask if anyone has possible dashcam or CCTV footage that could assist with our investigation to contact police.

“Police can be contacted on 101 quoting incident number 2202 of Sunday May 30 2021.”

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