Fire damages KwaThema substation and disrupts power supply

What happened

A fire broke out at the KwaThema substation in the early hours of 5 November 2023. City disaster and emergency services attended and extinguished the fire. The substation building and switchgear panels were damaged. Nearby residents were moved to a safe area to avoid smoke inhalation. No fatalities or injuries were reported. Areas were without power while the City assessed the cause, the extent of damage and what would be needed to restore the facility. A restoration time had not been given.

Contributing factors

The cause had not been established. The City said it was still assessing the substation.

Lessons learned

1. A substation fire can damage the building and switchgear and cut supply before the extent of the damage is known.
2. People living nearby may need to be moved clear of smoke while the fire is fought.
3. Restoration times should wait until the damage and the work required are known, and affected residents should be kept informed.

Source

ekurhuleni.gov.za