Warning against fires near power lines

CITY Power has appealed to people not to light fires near electricity infrastructure.

This comes after customers near the Heriotdale sub-station were affected by a power outage caused by a fire that started around midday.

Technicians responded to the outage from Heriotdale sub-station and found that the transmission lines caused the trip, due to billowing smoke from the huge fire under the servitude.

Affected customers included large power users such as PPC Cement and Scaw Metals.

Fire fighters were called to assist in putting out the blaze under the power lines and electricity was restored after five hours.

City Power recently had some outages affecting the 88KV and 11KV lines due to fires on the pylon servitudes. Hot spots for veld fires include Nasrec, Heriotdale, Ennerdale and Pennyville.

Communities have been urged to refrain from lighting fires under or near electricity infrastructure as this is illegal.

Grass and trees under the servitudes are regularly cut with the help of Joburg City Parks to reduce the risk of fires or trees being blown by winds onto the lines.

Residents should consult the Joburg Emergency Services or City Parks and Zoo should they wish to clear shrubs, trees or grass under or around transmission lines. |