Fire and Blackout
A major fire broke out around 3 a.m. on Monday at an electrical substation on Calle 9 between 527 and 528 in Tolosa, La Plata. The blaze caused a transformer owned by Edelap to explode, cutting power to several areas, including Tolosa, Ringuelet, Ensenada, City Bell, Gorina, and Gonnet. At least four firefighting units responded to the scene.[S1][S2][S3][S4]
By around 7 a.m., firefighters reported that the main flames had been extinguished, but the fire was not completely under control. They noted two significant fronts remained: one along Camino General Belgrano and another on Calle 527. Shortly after 8 a.m., Edelap confirmed the fire was under control, thanks to the coordinated efforts of all emergency agencies.[S1][S3][S4][S5]
Impact and Response
The blackout left much of La Plata in darkness, with only police vehicles, emergency beacons, and fire trucks providing light. Authorities deployed a large security operation, with the Buenos Aires Provincial Police increasing patrols to prevent incidents and manage traffic at intersections without functioning traffic lights. Residents were advised to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel.[S1][S3][S4][S5]
The final 10 kilometers of the Buenos Aires-La Plata highway were particularly affected, with long stretches completely unlit, causing concern among drivers returning from the long weekend. Authorities urged motorists to slow down, use proper lights, and follow police instructions. Edelap evacuated residents near the affected facility as a precaution and is working to reconfigure the network, prioritizing hospitals and other critical services.[S1][S3][S4][S5][S6]
Scheduled Maintenance
Before the blackout, Edelap had announced planned maintenance work for Monday and Tuesday. According to the schedule, work was set for Monday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the area between Calles 8 and 11 and Calles 50 and 53 in La Plata, which could cause power interruptions for users in that perimeter. The company noted that work could be rescheduled due to adverse weather or operational issues.[S1][S4]
