Fire at electrical substation: Garda considers joining legal action as civil party

A fire that broke out the day before yesterday at an electrical substation near Via San Bernardo, in the area of Garda’s cemetery, left a significant part of the town without power for several hours during the peak Ferragosto period. Mayor Davide Bendinelli announced that business associations would be called together to assess whether the municipality should join legal proceedings as a civil party. Bendinelli also outlined the situation and the consequences of the service disruptions.

The fire has once again drawn attention to problems affecting the local electricity network. According to reports submitted to the municipality, voltage drops have also occurred in recent months, allegedly damaging or compromising systems and equipment at accommodation facilities, bars, restaurants and other businesses, as well as control units and inverters belonging to photovoltaic installations. Two years ago, another substation was affected by a fire in the historic centre.

“Dealing with the electricity supply is becoming a nightmare,” Bendinelli said, arguing that residents and businesses can no longer tolerate a situation that is now considered far from occasional.

The municipality had already addressed the issue in 2025, when it summoned Enel Distribuzione’s regional and provincial executives to Garda. On that occasion, investments in the power lines, the reconstruction of underground infrastructure and a programme to modernise the network were presented, with the aim of making it safer and more efficient.

A year later, according to the mayor, the assurances received had not led to sufficient change. Bendinelli therefore announced discussions with business associations to determine whether there are grounds for legal action, in order to protect Garda’s image and address the tangible damage suffered by residents and businesses.