Fire destroys power transformer in Kohima; power supply restoration expected today

Our Correspondent

Kohima, Nov. 19 (EMN): A fire broke out in one of the three power transformers located below the Government Industrial Training Institute, Kohima on Saturday morning. The affected transformer is said to be feeding about 20,000 households.

Duty Commander at Fire Station North, Kohima, Haitilo Semy informed Eastern Mirror that they received a call around 6:43 am on Saturday and reached the spot within five minutes.

They were able to put off the fire before it spread to two other adjoining power transformers, he said.

A total of four fire tenders (two each from South and North Fire Stations) and 160 litres of foam were utilised to douse the inferno.

No casualties have been reported but the cost of damage was not less than INR 40 lakh, he said, adding that the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

Executive Engineer, Electrical Division Kohima, Rukongutuo Suohu informed this newspaper that the substation is feeding between 15,000 to 20,000 households in north Kohima.

‘Fortunately, the department has additional sub-stations in and around the affected area including IG Road, the Secretariat complex, and Keyake (BSF camp), which are already placed before,’ he said.

From these sub-stations, it was able to partially restore the power-supply to the affected households despite the damage of the transformer. He added that a full restoration of power supply in the affected areas will be done by dawn on Sunday.

Suohu further informed that the Power Grid Corporation of India is on the job to analyse and find out the root cause of the fire.

Once the root cause is detected, the transformer will be taken for repair, he said, adding that transporting and repairing it will take not less than two months.

A transformer costs around INR 50 lakh, it was informed.