Substation explodes near Pinetown school
Four school children were treated for smoke inhalation caused by the explosion.
A MINI substation at Park Row, a residential complex in School Road near Pinetown Senior Primary, exploded and burst into flames this morning.
According to Russel Meiring, emergency media and client liaison coordinator at ER24, four children sustained minor injuries after what they thought was a transformer that caught alight on School Road, Pinetown.
He said on arrival, paramedics were greeted by a large group of children aged between 10 and 12, of which four had to be treated for smoke inhalation before transporting them to nearby hospitals.
According to electrician Phillip Blackwell, who was called to the scene, people heard a big bang after the mini substation caught alight.
“The mini substation began to burn, sending out clouds of smoke blowing over the school. The fire department arrived shortly putting out the fire with 500 litres of water and a fire extinguisher within minutes,” said Blackwell.
Residents in the building are slowly evacuating their homes as there is no electricity and are unsure when it will return.
Blackwell added that authorities from the municipality will have to investigate and the mini substation possibly replaced due to the extent of the damage caused by the fire.
