City of Johannesburg underground fire city power

An underground fire has been burning in the Johannesburg CBD since early on Monday, 28 March. Photo: Screenshot from video.

WATCH: Johannesburg EMS battles underground fire – 3km of electricity cables affected

‘Johannesburg Emergency Management services are currently battling the blaze but have only just been able to move underground due to the thick smoke engulfing the area.’

City of Johannesburg underground fire city power

An underground fire has been burning in the Johannesburg CBD since early on Monday, 28 March. Photo: Screenshot from video.

The City of Johannesburg’s Emergency Services are battling an underground fire that broke out at the corner of Ntemi Pilisio and Anderson Streets in the CBD on Monday, 28 March.

UNDERGROUND FIRE BURNS IN JOHANNESBURG CBD

Johannesburg MMC for Environment Infrastructure Service Department (EISD), Michael Sun,  said City Power received word of the underground fire at approximately 7:00 on Monday.

The fire is affecting approximately three kilometres of underground electricity cabling, according to City Power. New Centre, Village Deep, Park Central and Wemmer are some of the areas experiencing power outages as a result.

“Johannesburg Emergency Management services are currently battling the blaze but have only just been able to move underground due to the thick smoke engulfing the area,” said Sun.

As soon as the smoke has been cleared City Power will be able to begin work on restoring the electricity to the affected areas.

As things stand, Johannesburg authorities are unable to provide an estimated time for the return of power.

At 16:47, City Power posted a video of the equipment EMS was using to suck smoke from the underground tunnels affected by the fire and said technicians are still unable to assess the impact of the blaze.

City of JHB EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said no injuries have been reported; motorists are encouraged to avoid the area.

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