Three people were injured and approximately 7,000 electricity customers were initially affected after a major fire broke out at a Vector electrical substation in Penrose, Auckland, on Thursday, November 5, 2026.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) received the emergency call at approximately 3:24 p.m. and dispatched 12 fire crews, three aerial appliances and three special appliances to the facility on McNab Street.

Firefighters arrived to find the two-storey substation, measuring approximately 20 metres by 40 metres, heavily involved in flames. The blaze threatened nearby commercial warehouses and generated a large plume of smoke that spread across parts of Auckland, including areas near the Southern Motorway.

Three Vector workers were injured in the incident. Hato Hone St John treated all three, with one person transported to Middlemore Hospital in serious condition and two others taken to Auckland City Hospital in moderate condition.

The fire also disrupted electricity supplies in parts of Penrose and neighbouring areas, including Ellerslie. Vector initially reported that approximately 7,000 customers had been affected. Through network switching, the company restored electricity to thousands of customers while emergency crews continued managing the incident.

By Thursday evening, Vector reported that power had been restored to all but one customer. The company confirmed full restoration on Friday morning, November 6.

The fire caused significant damage to parts of the substation. Vector subsequently announced plans to install a temporary transformer to reinforce the electricity supply while permanent repairs are completed.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Authorities have not established the precise circumstances that led to the incident.

The event prompted a substantial emergency response and temporary disruption for residents, businesses and motorists in the surrounding area.