Soweto substation fire: Residents hopeful Eskom will restore power soon

JOHANNESBURG - While an investigation is underway into a substation fire in Soweto, residents are hopeful Eskom will act swiftly to restore power to the affected areas.

The fire, which broke out at an Eskom substation in Zola, has taken hours for Johannesburg Emergency Management Services to extinguish.

A number of areas have been subsequently left in the dark, including Zola, Dobsonville, Emdeni, Naledi, Jabulani, and Mofolo North.

Despite load shedding, power supply failures, and most recently load reduction, 60-year-old Thoko Nkosi said she’s hopeful Eskom will repair the damaged power station.

“They are going to work 24/7 and soon the power will return. Since I was born, I’m 60 years now, this is the first time - I’ve never heard.”

Thirty-five-year-old Mxolisi Simelane echoed Nkosi’s sentiments.

“We’ll probably have power in a month. They’re quick.”

The cause of the fire is not known at this stage. EMS fire safety inspectors are on the scene conducting preliminary investigations, and Eskom is expected to issue a report.