Michael Sun, Johannesburg MMC for Environment Infrastructure Service Department (EISD), said City Power was notified of the subterranean fire at 7:00 a.m. on Monday.
The fire is affecting approximately three kilometres of underground electricity cabling, according to City Power. New Centre, Village Deep, Park Central and Wemmer are some of the areas experiencing power outages as a result.
“Johannesburg Emergency Management services are currently battling the blaze but have only just been able to move underground due to the thick smoke engulfing the area,” said Sun.
As soon as the smoke has been cleared City Power will be able to begin work on restoring the electricity to the affected areas.
As of now, Johannesburg officials are unable to offer an approximate time for power restoration.
At 16:47, City Power tweeted a video showing the apparatus EMS was using to suction smoke from the subterranean tunnels damaged by the fire and stated that specialists are still unable to analyze the blaze’s impact.
City of JHB EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said no injuries have been reported; motorists are encouraged to avoid the area.