Johannesburg’s inner city – the CBD, Braamfontein, Fordsburg, Newtown and Parktown – was without power on Wednesday evening after a fire broke out in tunnels under the M1 on Tuesday night.
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said that the Johannesburg Emergency Management Services had made significant progress in fighting the fire in the tunnels near Smit Street and the double-decker section.
City Power suspects that the fire may have resulted from theft and vandalism of the electricity infrastructure on Tuesday night. The fire was put out, but started again in the early hours on Wednesday morning.
Preliminary findings indicated that a cable connecting the Braamfontein and Fordsburg substations caught fire during the suspected cable theft and vandalism.
A hacksaw, a cutter, and screwdrivers were recovered.
Restoration work would begin after the smoke had cleared and the temperature in the tunnels (200°C on Wednesday morning) had cooled.
In July 2023, an underground gas explosion killed one person and led to the closure of Lilian Ngoyi Street.
The City of Johannesburg’s Metro Centre was closed in September 2023 after a fire broke out, and the city had to find alternative working arrangements for many of its employees while it hosted council meetings at other venues.
City Power has restored power to the parts of Braamfontein, including the Metro Centre, where the State of the City Address is expected to be delivered today.
[Photo: Screenshot eNCA]