Damage bill for huge substation blaze at Gould Creek in the millions

An electricity company is counting the costs of a multimillion-dollar blaze at a power substation. Meanwhile, smoke is still billowing from a Kapunda fire. Picture: 7NEWS

Two separate smoke warnings have been issued after large overnight fires, including one that gutted a power substation in the northern suburbs, with an expected damage bill in the millions.

Smoke is also still billowing from a large hayshed fire that broke out on Tuesday afternoon at Kapunda which prompted smoke warnings that were still current at 10am Wednesday.

The fire started about 3.15pm at Johnson Rd.
When crews arrived a large haystack was smoking within a shed, and the structure eventually caught fire.

The shed, which was 150m by 50m in size, was destroyed and residents were warned of thick black smoke billowing in the area.

Smoke was still billowing from a hay shed fire at Kapunda. Picture: supplied

A salvage organisation had engaged heavy machinery to pull apart the shed and the smoke warning was present for the entire evening.

The advice message was reissued with residents urged to shut all doors and windows to avoid the smoke at 10am Wednesday.

Another advice issued had to be distributed for people in Gould Creek, near Elizabeth, on Tuesday night after the Para Substation caught fire.

A fire at a Gould Creek substation caused significant damage and smoke in the area. Picture: 7 News

Multiple smoke warnings had to be issued. Picture: 7 News

Further warnings were issued later in the night, including a smoke advice message warning toxic particles may be spreading in the area.

“People with breathing difficulties should remain indoors with windows closed until the smoke abates,” authorities said.

The smoke advice warning was reissued after 11pm as crews continued to work to contain the fire.

Fire damage at Para Substation on Black Top Road, Gould Creek, after a fire overnight. Picture Emma Brasier

The threat of the incident was reduced for the fire about 1.30am Wednesday but fire crews were expected to stay on-site to monitor hot spots and an advice message was still present.

The total damage included the loss of an electrical transformer, and an oil cooling tower which held 30,00L of oil.

The exact damage bill is not yet known but was estimated in the millions.

A statement from ElectraNet, the company that owns the Para Substation, said the site experienced a transformer fire but there was no loss of power supply. “ElectraNet is working with the relevant services and stakeholders to ensure the site is safe, prior to the start of investigating the cause,” the statement said.

Another blaze within a warehouse was also reported at Lonsdale.

A security company called triple-0 to alert authorities of a trailer-making business on fire on Dorset St about 2.30am Wednesday,

A tree also caught fire in the incident, and the fire was extinguished in 45 minutes.

About $400,000 worth of structure and content damage was recorded, and the cause was undetermined but not suspicious.