Is it load-shedding? Nope … just a blackout due to a fire

A fire in the battery room of the Kloofendal Power Station caused a widespread electricity blackout on Monday, February 5, affecting a huge area including Horison, Kloofendal, Helderkruin, Strubens Valley, Little Falls, Wigeheuwel, and Weltevreden Park.

Luckily, due to the fast reaction of the Florida Fire Station and City Power, the damage was contained and the blackout was resolved in relatively short order, with electricity restored to all affected areas by just after noon.

• Also read: Power station fire leaves Northside in the dark

According to City Power GM for Region C, Sibusiso Xulu, who spoke to the Northsider on site, the battery room caught fire, forcing City Power to switch off the power station as a precaution.

“At this stage, there is no indication as to what exactly caused the fire. We will continue to investigate the cause of the fire. In the meantime, we replaced the burnt-out battery bank with temporary batteries and we are in the process of installing a new permanent system. This should be completed by February 9.”

According to Xulu, the battery bank is part of a backup safety system.