Areas of a local community were thrust into darkness after a bright flash of light flared into the night sky last Friday (22 July).
Residents reported seeing a strange, greenish spark before the power went out in certain parts of Sir Lowry’s Pass.
Community members also had social media abuzz with complaints of their electricity, which was either not restored or their lights left flickering following a momentary power outage after the loud bang that sounded.
Following the incident authorities confirmed the huge spark observed by Helderbergers across the basin and its surrounds was the result of burnt jumpers on a power pole in Sir Lowry’s Pass.
Resident Ellen Myburgh recalled seeing a bright, green spark coming from an electrical pole close to the satellite police station.
Fellow resident Colleen Pienaar said the power went off after the big spark, but was restored a couple of minutes later.
“The rest of the town’s power supply was off until around 14:00 the next day. Luckily, we were not too affected by the incident.”
Kyle Cookson, spokesperson for the national power utility giant Eskom, explained that the spark occurred when jumpers caught alight and burned out on the electricity-line opposite the community police station. Cookson added that the fault was reported at 08:21 on Saturday (23 July) and power supply was restored at 15:26 later the same day.
“The cause of the jumpers burning is still undetermined,” said Cookson.
