Underground vault fire triggers massive Long Beach blackout during extreme heat wave

Key points

• The outage began at approximately 6:40 p.m. on Sunday when an underground electrical vault caught fire near the Bluff Heights neighborhood.
• Southern California Edison (SCE) reported that the peak outage affected 22,066 to 26,626 customers, depending on the source and timing of the report.
• Long Beach Fire Department crews extinguished the fire on Broadway near Newport Avenue or Redondo Avenue, with no injuries reported.
• As of 6:00 a.m. Monday, 16,456 households remained without power, with SCE estimating full restoration by noon.
• The outage occurred during a period of extreme heat, with Long Beach reaching 93 degrees and an active heat advisory in effect.

Background

This incident follows a pattern of infrastructure-related power issues in Southern California. In August 2025, a spark from an idle SCE transmission tower in Eaton Canyon ignited a wildfire that destroyed over 9,000 buildings and killed 19 people, leading to ongoing lawsuits and criticism of SCE's response. More recently, in August 2026, Midwest storms caused widespread outages affecting 540,000 homes, highlighting the vulnerability of power grids to extreme weather events. The current Long Beach outage adds to concerns about the reliability of SCE's infrastructure during heat waves.

How outlets are covering it

Long Beach Post News and Long Beach Watchdog reported slightly different peak outage numbers, with the Post citing 26,626 customers and the Watchdog citing 25,646. NBC Los Angeles and CBS News both reported 22,066 customers at the peak. The Long Beach Post and Watchdog emphasized the fire's location on Broadway near Newport Avenue or Redondo Avenue, while NBC and CBS focused on the broader impact during the heat wave. All sources agreed on the cause being an electrical vault fire and the lack of injuries. The Long Beach Watchdog noted a video of transformers exploding, which was not mentioned by other outlets. SCE's response was consistent across sources, with crews mobilized to restore power and investigate the cause.

Why it matters

The outage highlights the vulnerability of Southern California's power grid during extreme heat events, which can strain infrastructure and lead to widespread outages. The incident also raises concerns about the reliability of SCE's underground electrical systems, which are critical for urban areas like Long Beach. The timing of the outage during a heat advisory exacerbates the impact on residents, who may rely on air conditioning and other cooling systems. The ongoing restoration efforts and investigation into the cause will be crucial for preventing future outages and ensuring the safety of the community.

What to watch

SCE is expected to complete power restoration by noon Monday, according to the Long Beach Post. The utility is investigating the cause of the vault fire, which may involve equipment problems or other factors. Long Beach Fire Department will continue to monitor the area for any residual risks. Residents are advised to check SCE's outage map for updates and to prepare for potential future outages during the heat wave. The incident may also prompt further scrutiny of SCE's infrastructure and response protocols, given the recent history of power-related issues in the region.