/ 23 November 2004

Fire plunges Jo’burg suburbs into darkness

Parts of western Johannesburg were plunged into darkness when an electrical sub-station in Hursthill near the Helen Joseph hospital caught fire on Monday evening.

City Power spokesperson Sol Masolo said the company suspected one of its transformers had been damaged. The cause of the fire was not known.

Areas affected include Auckland Park, Melville, Hursthill, Westdene, Newclare, parts of Delarey Park, Westbury, Bosmont, Claremont, Greymont, Crosby, Northcliff Extension 25, Rossmore, Richmond, Albertville and Martindale.

Masolo said no one was injured in the fire. He said a team of engineers and technicians was at the scene, trying to sort the problem.

”This type of incident is regrettable, especially when it affects our customers… We are committed to making sure we will do everything possible to restore power in affected areas as soon as possible,” Masolo said.

City emergency services spokesperson Malcolm Midgley said fire fighters with three fire engines had managed to extinguish the fire shortly before 9pm.

”A joint investigation between Johannesburg Emergency Management Services and City Power will be conducted to determine the cause of the fire,” he said. – Sapa