London, ON – September 26, 2025 – A dangerous act of vandalism early Friday morning left thousands of London residents without power and ignited a police investigation into a growing problem of copper theft from critical infrastructure. Authorities confirmed that a major hydro line beneath the Adelaide Street South bridge was deliberately severed around 6:30 a.m., causing a fire and a significant electrical disruption.
Incident Details and Immediate Aftermath
The incident saw approximately 5,000 London Hydro customers experience an outage in areas including Glen Cairn, Highland, and along Hamilton Road. Emergency crews were dispatched following reports of smoke billowing from beneath the bridge near Ada Street. Firefighters discovered a substantial, four-inch-thick live power line carrying 27,000 volts had been intentionally cut. This act not only caused the power failure but also sparked a fire, which crews had to carefully extinguish after London Hydro safely isolated the affected feed.
Fortunately, London Hydro crews were able to reroute electricity, restoring power to most affected customers within an hour. However, the repair work on the severed feeder line is described as complex, time-consuming, and costly. The wire damaged is a critical part of the city’s power grid, and its deliberate cutting presented an extreme safety hazard.
A Dangerous Pursuit: Copper Theft Suspected
Authorities believe the motive behind the destructive act was an attempt to steal copper, a valuable commodity in the scrap metal market. “It looked like they were trying to drill through some of the duct structure and actually hit a live cable, (and) caused a bit of an explosion,” stated Ysni Semsedini, CEO of London Hydro, highlighting the perilous nature of such crimes. He emphasized the extreme danger, noting that 27,000 volts is an immense amount of electricity compared to the 120 volts found in a typical home.
Deputy Fire Chief Gary Bridge added that the incident was serious enough to warrant the response of a HazMat unit and underscored the immense risk to the public and first responders. The individual responsible for cutting the line was not found at the scene, and their condition remains unknown, though officials stressed how incredibly fortunate they were not to have been killed or severely injured.
A Troubling Trend: Escalating Vandalism Costs London Hydro
This deliberate severing of a vital power line is not an isolated event but part of a concerning and escalating trend of vandalism targeting London Hydro’s infrastructure. Semsedini revealed that the utility is projecting approximately $1 million in damages this year alone due to such incidents, with this specific repair expected to cost at least $100,000.
London Police Service has been actively investigating these acts of sabotage. Inspector Sean Travis noted that copper theft is a well-known source of income for some individuals but carries severe risks. “It creates electrical hazards that can lead to electric shocks, fires and even fatalities,” Travis stated, warning of the danger to the public and those working to maintain the grid.
In March 2025, London Police announced an arrest in connection with a series of 23 copper thefts that occurred between November 2024 and March 2025, primarily in the downtown core. Despite this, the problem persists, with incidents like the one on Adelaide Street highlighting the ongoing threat to public safety and utility operations.
Investigation Continues and Public Appeal Issued
The London Police Service is urging residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity around electrical equipment. “People in our community are aware of who are committing these thefts, and we urge anyone to come forward that may be able to help solve this,” said Insp. Sean Travis, emphasizing that such tampering creates a “very serious safety concern”.
London Hydro, the police, and the fire department have issued a joint statement condemning these acts and reminding the public that tampering with electrical lines, poles, and other equipment is a serious issue across the province. They implore anyone witnessing suspicious behaviour or finding evidence of theft to report it immediately by calling the London Police Service non-emergency line at 519-661-5670, or 9-1-1 for immediate threats. Anonymous tips can also be made through Crime Stoppers.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the vital importance of electrical infrastructure and the profound risks associated with attempts to vandalize or steal from it. The news from London underscores the ongoing efforts required to combat these dangerous criminal activities and ensure the safety and reliability of essential services for the entire community.
