Fire at Houtkoppen substation disrupts northern Johannesburg supply

What happened

A fire broke out at the Houtkoppen substation, north of Johannesburg, on the night of 5 September 2023. Residents in Block 10, including Witkoppen, North Riding and Kya Sands, were left without power. City Power said preliminary investigations suggested a jumper broke shortly before 8:30 pm, just before load shedding restoration, and that a spark started the fire. The fire was reported to be on the Eskom side of the site. Firefighters attended and the fire was out, but no estimated restoration time was given and investigations into the cause and extent were continuing.

Contributing factors

Preliminary investigations suggested a jumper broke and produced a spark. The cause and extent had not been confirmed. The fire was said to be on the Eskom side of the substation.

Lessons learned

1. Inspect jumpers and connections at substations before they fail in service.
2. Agree in advance how adjacent network operators will coordinate when a fire affects a shared or neighbouring site.
3. Tell affected customers promptly when no restoration time can yet be given, and update them as the assessment proceeds.

Source

citizen.co.za