Fire engulfs old transformers in Siavonga
A FIRE has engulfed some old unusable step-up transformers at Kariba North Bank Power Station in Siavonga.
The fire started as some scrap metal dealers were trying to cut the transformers into pieces for easy transportation to a metal factory in Kafue.
Fire fighters from the illequipped Siavonga Fire Station struggled to contain the fire and authorities had to call for backup from emergency and fire teams from neighbouring Kariba Town in Zimbabwe who assisted in containing the fire which was by then fast spreading.
Siavonga District Commissioner Lovemore Kanyama who was found at the scene told the Daily Nation in an interview that the engulfed transformers were part of the items sold by ZESCO at an auction sale.
“What happened was, last week there was an auction at ZESCO where vehicles, furniture, transformers and other items were sold to the public, this morning some scrap metal dealer who bought the transformers came to collect them and in the process a fire started as they were cutting them into pieces for transportation,” said Mr Kanyama. Mr Kanyama said he has advised the owners of the transformers to consider other means of transporting them from Zesco premises to avoid causing fires at the power station.
Meanwhile, officers from the Forestry Department, Drug Enforcement Commission and Zambia Police have impounded a 30-ton truck, registration no ALJ 3334 and trailer registration no ABT 895T that was used to carry illegally obtained poles from in Mutolang’nga Forestry Reserve Area in Siavonga.
The police also arrested six people in connection with the matter. According to a Police source, the six were cornered near Bendele area, on the Siavonga highway as they were transporting the poles to a farm in Mazabuka.
The source disclosed that a second truck managed eluded the Police dragnet and however Police are investigating.
The impounded truck is parked at Siavonga Police while the six suspects are in Police custody awaiting court appearance.