What causes an electric utility pole transformer to explode?

Question

What causes the transformers on electricity utility poles to explode?

Just about 30 minutes ago an electric utility transformer on a pole down the street exploded and caught fire.
Luckily I still have electricity but what causes these electric transformers on the poles to explode?

Answer 1

Electric transformers explode due to overheating and overloading.

When too much electricity runs through the transformer they overload and overheat and then it explodes and catches fire.

Too many air conditioners running at the same time on the same transformers can overload and tax a transformer too.

Age is also a factor. The older the transformer the more likely the insulation around the copper wire in the transformer is to break down and cause shorts.