Loadshedding possibly the cause for theological college fire
FERNDALE – An investigation will need to be done, but it is believed a loadshedding surge caused the transformer to catch fire at BTC.
Loadshedding could be the cause of a fire at Baptist Theological College (BTC) in Ferndale on 17 May.
No one was hurt in the incident, but several hundred thousand rands worth of damage was done to the structure.
The building in Oak Avenue caught fire around 4.20pm and private fire brigade and non-profit organisation, Fire Ops SA were the first to arrive on the scene with three vehicles at 4.46pm.
Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) arrived about two minutes later.
According to Fire Ops SA CEO, Wynand Engelbrecht, the fire was under control 15 minutes after their arrival but plenty of damage was done by then.
It is believed the fire originated at the building’s transformer, which can easily withstand external heat, but due to surges caused by loadshedding might have caught fire itself.
“The transformer was about 1 000°C and you can hold a firelighter to that thing and it would not catch, it is likely the fire started there, though the insurance company will probably investigate,” Engelbrecht told Randburg Sun.
“Plenty of damage was done on the ground floor, but engineers will need to investigate to see if there is more damage than meets the eye and what work the structure will need.”
Joburg EMS spokesperson, Robert Mulaudzi could not confirm the cause of the fire but said no injuries were reported.
Details: Joburg EMS 011 37 55 911; Fire Ops SA https://fireopssa.co.za; 011 638 2871.
Also read:
https://www.citizen.co.za/randburg-sun/430026/building-catches-fire-on-oak-avenue/
