A sudden fire followed by an explosion at the Kotugoda Sub Station of the Ceylon Electricity Board resulted in a power cut in a number of areas in Jaela and Kotugoda.
The incident occurred several hours after the Power and Energy Minister's announcement that there would not be any power cuts as power generation of the Norochcholai power plant had resumed.
According to a CEB official, the blast caused the fire at the substation around 4.30 p.m. affecting power supply in a number of areas in Ja Ela and Kotugoda and the operation of turbines at Norochcholai power plant Stage I was delayed as a precautionary measure to avert a possible black out throughout the country.
He said the blast did not have an impact on the national grid.
"Several areas adjacent to Kotugoda substation are experiencing power interruptions. CEB employees are repairing the transformer to supply power to these areas soon," the official said. He said power generation from the second and third stages of the coal power plant was continuing
CEB officials and the Police are investigating to ascertain the cause of the blast. Deputy Power and Energy Minister Ajith P Perera, CEB Chairman Anura Wijepala and senior officials rushed to the scene minutes after the blast.
The Government Analyst also examined the site yesterday evening.
The fire followed by the blast was doused by firemen within a short time.
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