Power failure in Reutlingen was believed to have been a fire

A major power outage struck the city of Reutlingen in Baden-Württemberg after a fire broke out in a substation during the early hours of Monday morning. The incident led to widespread disruptions, affecting approximately 7,600 households and around 40,000 residents. According to local authorities, the fire occurred at the Reutlingen-West substation around 1:43 AM and was extinguished by firefighters at 5:00 AM. However, the damage caused by the blaze had far-reaching consequences, as it also affected another nearby facility, leading to prolonged power cuts across several areas of the region.

The fire has raised concerns about potential deliberate sabotage. Investigators have found evidence suggesting the use of an accelerant, indicating possible arson. A spokesperson for the State Criminal Police Office in Stuttgart confirmed that there were signs pointing toward intentional fire-setting. As part of their investigation, the state's anti-terrorism unit and security services have taken over the case, forming a dedicated task force named “Group Fischer.” This team is conducting thorough investigations into all possible leads, including the involvement of specialized units such as forensic experts and even a dog trained to detect accelerants.

In response to the incident, police have deployed an emergency squad to increase their presence near critical infrastructure and areas still without electricity. Innenminister Manuel Hagel emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating that the investigation would proceed intensively due to suspicions of intentional fire-setting and disruption of public utilities. He assured that every stone would be turned in the pursuit of justice against the perpetrators.

Security experts have drawn parallels between this incident and similar attacks on electrical infrastructure in Berlin, where suspected left-wing extremists targeted power lines. These incidents resulted in significant power outages lasting up to 100 hours. Although there are currently no known links to international actors, the possibility remains open for further investigation.

The impact of the power failure extended beyond residential areas, affecting businesses and essential services. For instance, the Bosch plant in Kusterdingen remained disconnected from the grid, while the hospital in Reutlingen had to rely on backup generators and postponed non-emergency surgeries. Emergency organizations such as the German Red Cross and the Maltese Aid Service mobilized to assist affected individuals, preparing for an extended period of support and care for vulnerable populations.

Efforts to restore full power supply have been ongoing. By Tuesday afternoon, nearly all private homes had received temporary power restoration, although some medium-voltage customers connected to the Reutlingen-West substation remained without service. Energy providers Netze BW and FairNetz are working diligently to resolve the issue, but complete recovery for commercial operations might not occur until later that evening.

As the investigation continues, authorities remain cautious, emphasizing that they are examining all possibilities, including technical defects alongside deliberate acts. With the situation under close scrutiny, the focus now shifts towards uncovering the truth behind this incident and ensuring appropriate measures are taken to prevent future occurrences.