Around 67,000 electricity consumers in 10 unions under Barguna Sadar upazila remain without power since last night after a fire broke out at a Rural Electrification Board (REB) grid substation, damaging key equipment.

The fire erupted around 10:30pm at the 33/11kV grid substation in the Khejurtala area under Gaurichanna union, said Mohammad Nazmul Hasan, deputy general manager (DGM) of the Barguna Zonal Office under the Patuakhali Palli Bidyut Samity.

Engineers and technical staff from the Rural Electrification Board rushed to the site, inspected the damaged equipment and began repair work.

"We were at the office when we heard a loud sound, and immediately the power supply went off. After reaching the site, we found that an 11kV automatic circuit recloser (ACR) had exploded, disrupting power transmission. Several wires and electrical components were also damaged," Nazmul Hasan said.

No casualties were reported.

He added that a replacement component had to be brought from Patuakhali.

However, electricity supply had not been restored as of 9:00am this morning, when this report was filed.

Officials suspect the explosion and subsequent fire were caused by an internal technical fault, although the exact cause remains under investigation.