Some residents were left in shock after a mini substation located on Douglas Avenue caught alight on 8 October.
Bruce Zulu, a security guard who works in Douglas Avenue who witnessed the event, said he saw sparks shooting out of the box and heard what he described as little explosions. “I thought it was lightning because of how the weather changed, but then I heard loud noises and what I saw after that I will not forget,” he said.
“I am not okay, I feel like I could have died. My friend and I, Mmuti Tsiane, were sitting and eating when it happened. We had to move fast. We were very scared and still are.”
Tsiane added, “What I saw was too shocking. I was sitting so near when it happened. I didn’t event finish eating, I just left everything because I was afraid. Electricity is dangerous.”
The Emergency Management Services (EMS) were called and Megan van Blerk, who works opposite the mini substation, was not too impressed with the fire service. “Firstly [EMS] arrived about 45 minutes after they were called and, secondly, I actually feel bad for them because of the poor state of their equipment.”
She explained that the emergency services’ water hose had several leaks and they struggled to maintain the water pressure. However, they did manage to put out the fire.
City Power and City of Johannesburg’s Emergency Management Services could not be reached for comment by the time of going to press.
Details: City Power 086 056 2874.
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