City Power starts repairs following CBD tunnel fire
Mop-up operations in parts of the Johannesburg CBD are set to begin on Monday following an underground cable fire that took place on Saturday.
It’s believed the fire may have been sparked by cable theft by illegal miners operating nearby.
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena says officials have been granted access to the underground tunnel between Fordsburg and Bree Substation to begin repair work.
"The clearance issued by the emergency services allows City Power to commence with the damage assessment and look at the affected areas, quantify the amount of material that will be needed or the repairs that need to be done so that we can restore electricity. It also allows us to do the mop-up operation and clean up the debris that is still stuck underground."
Mangena says the fire affected the Harrison Street to Bree Substation, where cable theft has been confirmed, and Harrison Street to Sauer Street, where extensive cable burns have been observed.
"Several areas such as the New Stock Exchange, Kerk Street East, Bank City No. 2, Newtown Junction 1, President Street West, De Villiers Street, JCI Buildings, Von Brandis Star, Pritchard Street West, OII Southern Sun, Kerk Street Central, Bree Street East, Jeppe Street West, President Street East, Bree Street West and Pritchard Street East were affected.
"City Power sincerely apologises for the inconvenience caused and assures residents that we are working around the clock to reinstate the network."
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