Joburg CBD is in smoke, and the M1 highway was closed after ‘stolen’ cables sparked fire. Image: X/@HloniMtimkulu.
Joburg CBD engulfed in smoke, M1 highway closed due to fire
On Wednesday, suspected cable theft caused a fire, leading to smoke and power outages in parts of Johannesburg.
Joburg CBD is in smoke, and the M1 highway was closed after ‘stolen’ cables sparked fire. Image: X/@HloniMtimkulu.
Smoke blanketed parts of Johannesburg’s inner city on Wednesday morning due to underground cable fires.
Joburg M1 highway closed due to fire
Smoke filled the Joburg CBD as the M1 highway closed due to a fire sparked by allegedly stolen cables.
On Wednesday morning, smoke engulfed sections of Johannesburg’s downtown area when underground cables ignited.
The resulting power outages affected numerous areas within the city, causing concern among residents.
Officials have reported no casualties or injuries resulting from the incident.
According to The Citizen, Robert Mulaudzi, spokesperson for Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS), stated that emergency services closed the M1 highway from Empire Road to the Crown Interchange.
“The smoke is coming up from the tunnels under the double-decker section of the highway. It is understood that underground cables had sparked the fire.”
He mentioned that the fire is presently contained, and there’s no necessity for evacuations in the nearby vicinity.
The fire is suspected to have started on Tuesday evening due to reported cable theft.
Initially, a fault was detected and fixed, but it escalated into a blaze discovered on Wednesday morning.
There are worries that the fire might have affected nearby train infrastructure, although this has not been confirmed yet.
City Power stated that the fire originated from a segment of its Fordsburg Substation.
“The fire was caused by an attempted theft of our infrastructure by unknown perpetrators. Our team is currently on-site, along with the fire fighting department and risk control, to manage the situation.”
“The affected areas include Braamfontein, Page View, Parktown, Melville, Amalgam, Vrededop, Johannesburg, and its surroundings.”
“We will continue to provide updates to affected customers regarding any further developments. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your patience while we work to resolve the issue”.
It is anticipated that power could be redirected to these regions once officials evaluate the extent of the damage and conduct repairs on the approximately 100 meters of cable that have been damaged.
City Power worker and contractors arrested for theft and vandalism
Following their alleged involvement in criminal activities against the organisation, a City Power employee is undergoing disciplinary procedures, while two contractors have been terminated.
These three individuals were part of a group of six arrested for theft and vandalism of cables and equipment across the city in 2023.
Isaac Mangena, spokesperson for City Power, reported that the initial incident occurred in Hillbrow.
“City Power’s security risk management team received an anonymous tip-off that five suspects were attempting to steal a transformer. The suspects were caught in the act and taken in by law enforcement agencies for processing at the Hillbrow police station.
“In this incident, one suspect was found to be a City Power contractor and one is a City Power employee. Two trucks and a bakkie bearing City Power logos have been taken in by the police.”
According to TimesLive, another contractor working for City Power was reportedly captured on video in Witpoortjie, removing approximately 20 meters of copper cable and substituting it with an ABC cable. Subsequently, he was also apprehended by authorities.
According to Sunday World, Private security personnel employed by City Power fatally shot a man after he allegedly fired at them.
Isaac Mangena, a spokesperson for City Power, stated that on Friday, a man attempted to escape with stolen goods and fired shots at the state-employed private security guards.
According to Mangena, the altercation occurred near Vermont Street in Johannesburg’s southern Eldorado Park. He added that the incident unfolded after the power entity’s private security guards were called to investigate a potential case of cable theft.
