City Power maintains the transformer did not explode to cause Monday morning’s fire at the New Doornfontein station.
Four people were injured as a result and supply cut off to New Doornfontein, Troyville, and areas surrounding Siemert Road.
Charles Tlouane, City Power’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), said preliminary findings do not support a transformer-related explosion.
“Under the current conditions, we noticed that the ground-mounted transformer inside the building is intact and has not exploded. This is a transformer with oil inside and there was no failure and no oil expelled during this incident. The transformer also remains in its original position” said Tlouane.
He also said debris thrown all over and broken windows miles away from the scene, is a clear indication, it was not the transformer that sparked the fire.
Moreover, technical teams found tanks and a generator next to the ground-mounted transformer, as well as a tanker, several pumps and pipes for different purposes.
“At this stage, we do not know what the tanker and cylinders are used for or what kind of liquid they contained, only signage written “flammable liquid”. All the evidence found here indicates that this was not a transformer-related incident. It tells us that something else amplified the explosion. Whether it was any form of spark or another source, that is what the investigation will determine” said Tlouane.
Dada Morero, the Mayor, visited the scene with City Power’s management.
“We will not compromise on safety, and we will continue to enforce compliance to protect infrastructure and ensure the sustainability of essential services in the Inner City,” said Morero.
Power supply was restored to an estimated 95% of customers in New Doornfontein after the explosion.
City Power said the outage affecting the remaining customers in Lower Rose Street is due to a Medium Voltage Chamber (MVC) that was damaged as a result of the same explosion.
Picture: Supplied