Transformer catches fire

A LAND transformer, which distributes electricity to offices along Douglas Street in downtown Port Moresby, caught on fire yesterday morning resulting in a blackout at the Deloitte Tower building.
Eyewitnesses claimed the fire had started from a pile of rubbish next to the power transformer that was set on fire by contractors who had cleaned the area earlier that morning.
They claimed the rubbish belonged to betelnut and other informal sector vendors who plied their trade around the area daily.
A security guard at the Deloitte Tower said after the transformer caught fire, the power lines gave off huge sparks that were followed with a loud bang.
“We did not know who burned the rubbish but, after the sparks and explosion, everyone fled for cover when the transformer caught on fire.
“It was scary because many of us thought nearby buildings would also catch fire,” he said.
The guard and his colleagues quickly radioed their base which relayed the message to the Port Moresby Fire Service and the firemen arrived at the scene minutes later.
However, firefighter Allan Kai said they could not do much as the electrical explosion and fire had destroyed the transformer.
“The earth wires leading from the transformer to the poles were also affected, and we could not risk using water to hose down the fire immediately for obvious reasons,” Kai said.
“After confirming that it was safe, we moved in and hosed down the fire.
“We believed that the fire was caused by contracted street cleaners who had decided to burn the rubbish instead of carting them off to the Baruni dump or somewhere.”
PNG Power technicians arrived at the scene and set to work trying to fix the problem.
“The fire was right next to the transformer and the paint on it caused the fire to spread quickly, damaging the cables which blew the transformer,” a technician said.
The PNG Power and Fire Service managements could not be reached for further comments.