Extensive work will be required to restore electricity in the inner city of Johannesburg after underground cables caught fire, according to Johannesburg City Power.
The blaze, suspected to be caused by cable theft, occurred beneath the M1 double-decker highway. Tools found at the site during the fire containment efforts on Wednesday further support this suspicion.
The incident, which began on Tuesday evening, resulted in a power outage in Braamfontein, part of the Joburg CBD, Parktown, and Newtown. Additionally, road closures were implemented in the affected area.
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena reported on Wednesday night that the Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) team had made significant progress in fighting the fire within the tunnels and clearing the resulting smoke aboveground.
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On Thursday morning, firefighters will inspect the tunnels to ensure there are no flare-ups and that the site is safe before handing over to City Power for further assessments.
Mangena stated, “Work towards restoration will commence once the smoke has cleared in the tunnels and the temperatures, which previously reached approximately 200°C, have cooled off.
“We anticipate starting the restoration work mid-morning on Thursday, which will involve clearing the rubble and assessing the extent of the damaged electrical infrastructure. The outcome of these assessments will determine the repair and restoration plans, as well as the estimated time for completion.”
@CityofJoburgEMS Firefighters will this morning go back to the M1 Double Decker highway to conduct inspection along the tunnel, check for any flare ups, ensure that the tunnel is safe before it’s handed over to @CityPowerJhb to start with their own assessments. @CoJPublicSafety pic.twitter.com/wNi0AQQl4n
— Cojems Spokesperson (@RobertMulaudzi) May 2, 2024
City Power technicians are also exploring alternative solutions to restore power to some areas by back-feeding through nearby substations, such as Fort and Bree substations.
In addition to the restoration efforts, teams will be working to determine the exact cause of the fire. Preliminary findings suggest that a cable connecting the Braamfontein substation to the Fordsburg substation caught fire due to suspected cable theft and vandalism.
Mangena shared, “During the afternoon of Wednesday, the City Power team recovered tools commonly used for vandalism and theft, such as a hacksaw, cutter, and screwdrivers, from the site of the fire. Furthermore, a cellphone was also found at the scene.”
Once the restoration work is underway, it is essential to address the underlying issue of cable theft to prevent similar incidents in the future. Cooperation between law enforcement agencies, communities, and power utility companies is crucial in combating this illegal activity and ensuring a reliable electricity supply for all residents.
