Oregon X Data Center Fire Sparked by Power Cabinet, Officials Confirm
▼ Summary
– A fire at an X data center in Oregon may have started due to an electrical or mechanical issue in a power system, according to an official investigation.
– The fire ignited a Schneider Electric UPS cabinet, a common data center component that provides backup power, but the exact cause remains unclear.
– Data center fires are rare, but increasing AI demand is straining power systems, potentially raising fire risks from overheating or malfunctions.
– Investigators ruled out lithium-ion batteries as the cause, and Digital Realty confirmed the fire was electrical and has implemented preventive improvements.
– The fire caused $260,000 in damages, destroying one power cabinet and damaging two others, with no injuries reported.
A fire at an Oregon data center housing servers for Elon Musk’s X platform originated from an electrical cabinet, according to official findings. The May 22 incident at the Hillsboro facility operated by Digital Realty caused significant damage but resulted in no injuries, with losses estimated at $260,000.
Initial speculation pointed to lithium-ion batteries as the potential culprit, but investigators later confirmed the blaze started in a Schneider Electric Galaxy VX uninterruptible power supply (UPS) cabinet. These systems, common in data centers, regulate electricity flow and provide backup power during outages. Fire officials noted the flames appeared to originate inside the cabinet, though the exact ignition source remains unclear.
Data center fires remain uncommon, with fewer than two dozen major incidents reported globally over the past ten years. However, experts warn that the rising demand for AI infrastructure, which requires dense clusters of high-performance computing equipment, could increase risks. Power systems operating at maximum capacity face greater stress, potentially leading to overheating or electrical failures.
Firefighters responded within 11 minutes of the first alarm, encountering thick smoke in the facility’s power room. Crews extinguished the flames using handheld fire extinguishers, preventing further spread. One UPS cabinet was completely destroyed, while two adjacent units sustained damage. Digital Realty confirmed the incident was electrical in nature and stated it had implemented unspecified safety upgrades to prevent future occurrences.
Industry specialists emphasize that proper cooling and ventilation are critical for preventing similar accidents. Russell Carroll, an electrical engineer specializing in fire investigations, noted that while photos suggested adequate cabinet ventilation, insufficient temperature monitoring could still contribute to overheating. Schneider Electric and X did not respond to inquiries about the incident.
The investigation highlights the challenges of maintaining safety in increasingly power-intensive data centers. As facilities expand to support AI workloads, ensuring robust fire prevention measures will remain a priority for operators worldwide.
(Source: Wired)
