A marten caused a widespread power outage in Pfullendorf on the evening of Monday, September 7, 2026. Shortly before 10 p.m., the animal climbed onto electrical equipment at the Hesselbühl substation. According to the municipal utility company, it bridged two phases, triggering a short circuit. A loud bang and an electric arc accompanied the fault. Subsequently, power failed across the entire municipal area. Police, fire services, emergency medical teams, and the grid operator were dispatched to the substation; however, emergency crews found no evidence of sabotage. The grid operator restored power around 10:30 p.m.
Power Outage After Contact with 110,000 Volts
Emergency crews found the dead marten near the affected transformer. The animal had previously gained access to the electrical installation, where—according to the municipal utility—it came into contact with 110,000 volts. The resulting short circuit caused the power supply to shut down.
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According to the Südkurier, however, the transformer itself sustained no damage. Consequently, power restoration was relatively swift; the affected households had electricity back within about 30 minutes. The outage was thus short-lived, even though virtually the entire town was affected.
Loud bang at substation triggers major emergency response
The loud bang—audible from a considerable distance—initially suggested a major technical failure. As a result, dispatchers alerted the Pfullendorf branch of the German Red Cross (DRK) in addition to the fire department and police. An ambulance from Wilhelmsdorf was also deployed. Furthermore, personnel from the municipal utilities and Regionalnetze Linzgau responded to the scene.
Emergency crews also had to investigate a separate report. During the power outage, a school’s alarm system had been triggered. Firefighters inspected the building using a fire truck, but found no actual danger; the power interruption had caused the false alarm.
A Single Short Circuit Leads to Far-Reaching Consequences
The incident illustrates the immediate impact of a disruption to central grid infrastructure. A single animal was enough to cut off power to numerous households simultaneously. The outage also triggered a rapid response from several emergency services within minutes. However, the transformer sustained no permanent damage.
For the German Red Cross (DRK), the operation also served as a practical test of existing emergency response plans. According to the local chapter, the designated personnel were available. Furthermore, cooperation between emergency medical services, the fire department, the police, and grid operators was seamless from the start. Ultimately, the incident concluded without any injuries or prolonged disruptions for the public.
Author: Blackout News
Sources: Polizeipräsirium Ravensburg (08.09.26) – Südkurier (08.09.26)