Not sure this has been the official "explanation" this time, but looking at it from a technical side, there isn't normally anything in a transformer flammable enough to be ignited by a cigarette, even if you could drop it directly into the cooling oil (which you can't: they are normally sealed). My understanding is that you need a sustained arc over several minutes of "normal" electric current, or several lightning strikes to heat up the oil enough to catch fire. That requires some major fault. I guess a suitable type of warhead could cause it eventually, but not immediately.

[–] echodot@feddit.uk 0 points 11 months ago (1 children)

they are normally sealed

Normally

I wouldn't be surprised if the issue turns out to be a comedy of errors.

Damaged transformer is never fix. Due to ~~budget issues~~ corruption
Overtime it becomes more damaged until it represents a serious safety issue. See above
Absolutely no equivalent of workplace safety laws. Sea above
All resulting in a massive explosion

[–] Hopfgeist@feddit.de 0 points 11 months ago

I wouldn’t be surprised if

Neither would I. Just saying that "smoking at the workplace" alone won't suffice. Unlike in, say, a ~~fireworks~~ munitions factory.