Transformer bursts into flames, electrocutes 10 in Plateau

Residents of Kabong community in Gada Biyu District of Jos North Local Council of Plateau State were thrown into mourning yesterday as no fewer than 10 persons were electrocuted by a power transformer that caught fire in the area.

The area popularly called Kabong Central, a bubbling and bustling enclave within Gada Biyu, woke up to the devastating disaster, which left several others injured, around 2:00am yesterday.

The residents explained that there was a power outage around 10.00pm last Friday but when it was restored around 2.00am yesterday, the voltage was too high, hence the explosion.

“The catastrophe originated from an unforeseen explosion in a nearby transformer, triggering a ferocious fire that quickly engulfed the vicinity. Simultaneously, the blast sent shock waves throughout the area, causing widespread panic and fear among the residents,” an eyewitness said.

The eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, said that apart from the deaths recorded, numerous houses and shops were in ruins with property worth millions of naira also destroyed.

Another resident lamented that the situation has plunged the community into a state of mourning.

“Tragically, two of the victims were from the same family which compounds the grief for their loved ones,” he said.

It was gathered that the injured victims of the incident were rushed to nearby hospitals where they are being treated for burns and electrical shocks.

Speaking with The Guardian, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), Kumshi Yunana Kumshi, said the dead victims were electrocuted due to the explosion of the electricity transformer in the area.

Kumshi stressed that no fewer than 10 dead bodies had been recovered from the ruins so far.

He, however, pointed out that there could be more. “Ten dead bodies are what I can tell now.
This number is what I see. You can hardly get three dead persons in one house,” he said.

Kumshi praised the gallant men of VGN who rushed to the scene and gave immense support and assistance to the people.