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31 March 2023
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Explosion and fire at electrical substation leaves most of Bloemfontein in the dark
On Monday night, 20 March 2023, a huge explosion occurred at the Harvard substation that caused a total power failure in the entire Bloemfontein. Mangaung Fire Department’s Braam van Zyl, said “This also caused some challenges for Mangaung Fire Department. The Harvard substation is situated at the outskirts of Bloemfontein. It receives a high voltage power supply from Eskom, which is further distributed by Centlec to the respective neighbourhoods.”
“Due to the National Shutdown Action organised by the EFF for 20 March 2023, Mangaung Fire Department, as well as the South African Police Service, Military and all other emergency services, were placed on high alert. All the emergency services were coordinated by a district Joint Operational Centre (JOC)”, said Van Zyl.
He added, “At 19h20, an explosion occurred, which resulted in a fire at the transformer and total black out for the entire town. Ten fire fighters with a fire engine, a water tanker and a utility vehicle containing extra foam solution and dry powder extinguishers, responded to the scene. On arrival, they could not enter the premises as it was unsafe at the time. In the meantime, security forces cordoned off all roads in the vicinity of the substation.”
“After half an hour, Eskom was able to disconnect the high voltage power supply. The Fire Department then moved in and extinguished the fire by applying foam”, explained Van Zyl.
“Teams from Centlec worked through the night and power was restored to all neighbourhoods within 24 hours. The explosion was caused by a mechanical problem, not terrorism as was feared” he concluded.
Source: Braam van Zyl, Mangaung Fire Department
“Due to the National Shutdown Action organised by the EFF for 20 March 2023, Mangaung Fire Department, as well as the South African Police Service, Military and all other emergency services, were placed on high alert. All the emergency services were coordinated by a district Joint Operational Centre (JOC)”, said Van Zyl.
He added, “At 19h20, an explosion occurred, which resulted in a fire at the transformer and total black out for the entire town. Ten fire fighters with a fire engine, a water tanker and a utility vehicle containing extra foam solution and dry powder extinguishers, responded to the scene. On arrival, they could not enter the premises as it was unsafe at the time. In the meantime, security forces cordoned off all roads in the vicinity of the substation.”
“After half an hour, Eskom was able to disconnect the high voltage power supply. The Fire Department then moved in and extinguished the fire by applying foam”, explained Van Zyl.
“Teams from Centlec worked through the night and power was restored to all neighbourhoods within 24 hours. The explosion was caused by a mechanical problem, not terrorism as was feared” he concluded.
Source: Braam van Zyl, Mangaung Fire Department