Switch off power during blackouts, says Roo

By JASON DOM
CHIEF Fire Officer Bill Roo, pictured, is advising people to switch off the power when there are blackouts to avoid power surges damaging electrical appliances when the power comes back on.
He said strong winds and rain currently experienced in many parts of the country could lead to power blackouts, and people must turn off the switches “for safety reason”.
“When an electrical appliance stays on during blackouts, the high voltage of current flows through when power comes back on, and can cause electrical faults causing fire,” he said. Roo also said people using candles during blackouts must place them on concrete slabs and not on wood.
Meanwhile, firefighters on Tuesday evening managed to contain a fire at the PNG Hardware Limited at Six-Mile in Port Moresby.
National Capital District fire chief Robert Waninara said two fire trucks from Boroko and one from the Waigani fire station with 20 firefighters attended to the call.
He said there was low water pressure at one of the fire hydrants at the scene. Firefighters had to go to fill up the tanks at Seven-Mile.
The fire was contained 11pm. An estimate of the damage is being worked out.
PNG Forest Products group marketing manager Marcus Brouggy said the store would be closed until further notice.
He hopes that they can reopen for business quickly.