Transformer fire disrupts power supply in interior

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One of the SESB transformers that caught fire early yesterday morning.

TENOM: One of Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd’s (SESB) transformers at its main sub-station at Jalan Kolam Kampung Bahagia near here was destroyed by fire early yesterday morning. Two other transformers suffered slight damage.

District Fire and Rescue Department station officer-in-charge Runzee @ Syamree Abdul Thani said his department received an emergency call at 5.31am yesterday and immediately rushed 13 firemen, two machines and a utility vehicle to the scene.

“As a result of the fire to the transformer, my department also received two calls, one from Tenom railway station, where their office main switch had caught fire, and another on a kitchen light fixture belonging to a villager staying near the sub-station that had caught fire,” he said yesterday.

He added the department’s swift action prevented the fire from spreading, while the fire at the sub-station was completely put out by about 9.30am on the same day.

Runzee said the cause of fire and the estimated losses were still under investigation and there was no casualty reported.

Meanwhile, SESB, in a statement issued here yesterday, confirmed the power outage in the interior area which began at 5.42am yesterday following a fire that broke out at one of the transformers at the sub-station. Electricity supply in Keningau and Tambunan was fully restored at 6.30am.

SESB informed that they have also made available several mobile generator sets in Tenom to reduce the impact of the electricity supply breakdown while repair work and restoration of power supply were under way.

In addition, further investigations are being undertaken to determine the exact cause of this incident and a full report will be submitted to the Energy Commission, Tenaga Nasional Berhad and the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water for further action.

Consumers are encouraged to contact the SESB hotline at 15454 or 088-515000 if their areas are without electricity supply