Fire at sub-station causes unnecessary panic in Steelpoort
On November 15 at 19:00 one of the Eskom Merensky substation transformers was struck by lightning during a rainstorm, causing it burst in flames. Panic arose in town after locals saw the fire, assuming that they would be left without electricity
STEELPOORT – On November 15 at 19:00 one of the Eskom Merensky substation transformers was struck by lightning during a rainstorm, causing it burst in flames. Panic arose in town after locals saw the fire, assuming that they would be left without electricity.
The Tubatse Fire Department and Mine Rescue Team were almost immediately at the scene to extinguish the fire. At 21:00 another fire truck arrived at the scene to assist. Steelburger/Lydenburg News was not allowed access due to safety concerns. By 21:30 the fire was still raging and those inside were still trying extinguish it. They allegedly only finished at 02:00 on November 16.
“The fire did not affect the supply of electricity to customers as other transformers were not affected by the blaze. Eskom is also delighted that the fire-prevention mechanisms in the substation worked as they should. No injuries were reported during the accident,” said Mr Phemelo Biloane of Eskom Corporate Affairs.
He added that engineers and technicians had been on site to start repairing the damaged equipment and assured residents that the remaining transformers would have sufficient capacity to keep the lights burning.
