Transformer fire at Spartan substation cuts power near Kempton Park airport

On the morning of 12 January 2020, transformers caught fire at a substation on Plane Road in Spartan, Kempton Park, at the Len Futcher building, described in reporting as the electricity department building and also referred to as an Eskom substation. The substation supplies the City's 66kV and 132kV networks. Emergency services attended the scene and nearby roads were closed, with residents advised to stay clear. The fire caused power outages affecting OR Tambo International Airport, Isando, Spartan, Kempton Park central business district, Aston Manor and Bonaero Park. According to the City of Ekurhuleni, the cause of the fire could only be determined once it was safe to investigate. Power was reported restored later the same afternoon by the city's executive mayor. No information on injuries or the eventual cause was given in the initial reporting.

Not reported at the time of the article; the City of Ekurhuleni stated the cause would only be established once the site was safe to investigate.

1. Substation transformer fires can disrupt power to critical infrastructure such as airports and large urban areas, so network redundancy for critical loads should be reviewed.
2. Rapid multi-agency emergency response, road closures and public exclusion zones help limit risk to the public during high voltage fires.
3. Timely public communication on restoration progress, even before the root cause is known, helps manage community and business impact.

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