WATCH: Cutter, cellphone and 200 degrees heat: Inside the fire that darkened Joburg

When City Power officials opened a tunnel below the city of Johannesburg they were met with around 200° heat, hot enough to burn your hair off and destroy your skin.

Once inside they found a cellphone and several tools, including a saw, cutter and screw drivers.

It is believed that vandalism and cable theft may be behind an underground fire that brought parts of the city to a standstill this week.

An initial incident on Tuesday night caused a power outage that was soon repaired. It is understood it flared up again on Wednesday, sending thick clouds of smoke into the air. The M1 highway was shut, as emergency services responded to the scene.

The fire also plunged several parts of the city into darkness.

Inside the tunnel

City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena described the scene of the fire.

“City Power team earlier this afternoon recovered tools such as hacksaw, cutter, screw drivers, normally used during vandalism and theft. A cellphone was also recovered from the site of the fire.

“Work towards restoration will start after the smoke has cleared in the tunnels and the temperatures, which earlier in a day were hovering around 200°c, have cooled off in the tunnel,” Mangena said./

According to officials, no casualties or injuries were reported. The M1 highway has since been re-opened following the massive fire.

City Power said it suspected that the fire, which has since been extinguished, may have been sparked by vandals.

Watch the update from Joburg Emergency Services on the M1 highway fire

Johannesburg Emergency Services are expected to assess the scene of a fire on the M1 highway in Johannesburg before handing it over to the city to begin repairs and restore power to affected areas. #JoburgFire #M1HighwayFire #JHBTraffic #Johannesburg @TheCitizen_News pic.twitter.com/MrXdMIcWZr

— 𝙵𝚊𝚒𝚣𝚎𝚕 𝙿𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚕 ⚡️ (@FaizelPatel143) May 2, 2024

Assessment

Joburg Emergency Management Services spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said they would be monitoring the tunnels on Thursday for any additional flare-ups.

“City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services Firefighters will this morning go back to the M1 Double Decker highway to conduct an assessment along the underground tunnel.

“They will monitor if there are any flare-ups and ensure that the tunnel is safe before it’s handed over to City Power.

City Power will start conducting their own assessments about the damage caused by the fire incident.”

🚒🛣 Work is ongoing as firefighters bravely combat the fire 🔥, aiming to reopen the freeway and major roads by tomorrow morning.

The most affected roads are the M1 north and southbound through @CityofJoburgZA. 🚧

Vision Tactical will remain on scene with members to ensure… pic.twitter.com/Gd19YMrvUY

— Vision Tactical (@visiontactical) May 1, 2024

ALSO READ: WATCH: City Power suspects fire on M1 highway in Joburg CBD caused by vandals

Restoration

Mangena said power may return to affected areas by Thursday afternoon.

“We expect to start the work mid-morning on Thursday, which will include clearing the rubble, assess the extent of the damaged electrical infrastructure – the outcome of which will determine the repairs and restoration plans, and ETR (Estimated time of restoration),” Mangena said.

Mangena added that City Power technicians are also working on alternatives to see if some of the areas cannot be back-fed through the Fort and Bree substations.

“We will advise our customers of any developments in the morning. We apologise for the inconvenience this caused, including to the motorists who use the M1 highway between Braamfontein and the Crown Interchange,” Mangena said.

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