Secunda substation fire leaves town without electricity
Secunda in Mpumalanga was plunged into powerlessness on Tuesday evening when a primary substation burst into flames. Electrical teams couldn't enter the precinct
South Africa: The town of Secunda in Mpumalanga was plunged into powerlessness on Tuesday evening when a primary substation burst into flames.
According to local Democratic Alliance (DA) Councillor, Mariaan Chamberlain, electrical teams had been dispatched to the scene to assess damages but were unable to initially enter the precinct due to the ferocity of the fire.
In addition to large sections of Secunda being left without electricity as a result of the substation blaze, power supply to neighbouring towns, particularly Trichardt and Embalenhle, was adversely impacted.
The substation fire was extinguished shortly before nightfall and emergency repair work was ordered as a priority. While some areas of Secunda were returned to the grid on Tuesday night, some suburbs were left to deal with the darkness until Wednesday morning.
Unfortunately for South Africa’s already-dire energy position, substation fires, resulting from neglect, lightening and alleged sabotage, have made headlines at the start of the new year.
On 12 January, OR Tambo International Airport was plunged into complete darkness when a transformer at Kempton Park substation burst into flames. Moreover, there was a substation blaze also in Mpumalanga on 24 December 2019.
Source: The South African