Second explosion plunges parts of Johannesburg into darkness
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on SABC News
A second explosion at the Mayfair substation has cut power to several Johannesburg areas, including Garden City Hospital, according to City Power. The cause of the explosion has yet to be established, and the water supply has also been interrupted, according to the city’s electricity distributor.
City Power, Johannesburg’s electricity supplier, regrets a second explosion at the Mayfair substation, which occurred shortly after its teams began restoring power at around 6pm, according to its spokesperson Isaac Mangena. The explosion knocked out the entire substation, leaving all customers it supplies without electricity. The cause is not yet known, and the incident has also interrupted the water supply.
Firefighters brought the fire under control, and the area remains cordoned off until the site is declared safe. City Power must then assess the damage, determine what is needed to resume repairs and investigate the cause of the explosion.
Areas affected include the public broadcaster SABC in Auckland Park, Garden City Hospital in Mayfair, and businesses and residential areas in Mayfair, Crown, Vrededorp, Brixton, Crosby, Pageview, Homestead Park and Amalgam.
