Residents of parts of Durban North and surrounding areas could be without power for up to two days following a major blackout owing to a fire at the Park Hill substation.
Electricity was cut off from several areas including parts of Durban North, Glen Hills, Umgeni Park, Avoca Hills, Sea Cow Lake, Red Hill, Effingham Heights and parts of Glen Anil from about 2pm.
Fire Department division commander Jay Kenniappen said that a fire broke out around the switches inside the power station because of a cable fault.
“When we arrived, we used a dry chemical extinguisher to put out the flames,” Kenniappen said.
The operation was then handed over to the electricity department, which was said to be working around the clock to restore power.
Kenniappen said that it would take 36 to 48 hours before power was restored.
The eThekwini head of electricity Sandile Maphumulo, said that teams would have to work throughout the night on the problem.
DA Umhlanga councillor Heinz de Boer visited the substation and said workers would only finish cleaning the damaged areas this morning, before proper repairs could take place. De Boer was told the crew might need 48 hours to restore power.
Many restaurants closed early, but a few in unaffected areas took advantage of the situation.
The Fish Plaice in Glenashley ran out of hake and chips owing to demand. Manager Marianne Smith said many people called to ask if there was power before placing orders.
“The sales for a Monday night were crazy. We were inundated with people coming in and ordering; we struggled to keep up.”
She said the Spar supermarket opposite her food outlet was also very busy. Mamma Luciana’s in Glenashley was also busier than normal, with many people queuing to buy their supper.
Security was a major concern for residents in darkness on Monday night.
A Riverside resident, who would not be named, said the entire area was without power.
“We were told that the power would return by 8pm, but this did not happen. Now I will need to take the gas stove out to prepare supper tonight,” she said. - The Mercury