Fire at power station sends ‘toxic’ smoke over Wollongong

Residents of Wollongong and Unanderra were told to stay inside on Saturday night as a fire ripped through a nearby power plant.

Residents of Wollongong and Unanderra were told to stay inside and secure entry points to their homes on Saturday evening as a fire ripped through a nearby power plant.

The incident occurred at the Transgrid Substation at Yallah in NSW, at about 3pm.

“Fire and Rescue NSW is responding to a large substation fire in Yallah, near Albion Park, on the state’s South Coast,” FRNSW said in its initial statement on Saturday evening.

“More than 60 firefighters and two mobile command centres are on scene at Yallah Bay Road. There is a fire and multiple explosions in one of the large substations on site. Approximately 1000 litres of oil is currently being contained.

“High voltage power lines are also being impacted by the blaze. One transformer is fully alight with a second transformer at risk. The company is attempting to stage a shutdown of the facility. One FRNSW crew is providing fire protection for the on-site specialists.

“The large smoke plume is affecting Wollongong and Unanderra, causing flights in and out of Shellharbour Airport to be delayed.

“Residents are urged to stay indoors with windows and doors closed until the air quality has improved. NSW Rural Fire Service and NSW Police are assisting with operations.”

The fire at a power station. Picture: Nine News

A short time after that statement, FRNSW said “large volumes of smoke from the fire” were continuing to affect the Wollongong and Unanderra areas.

It said “one redundant transformer mechanically failed”, causing the fire, though thankfully with “no impact on electricity supply”.

NSW Police warned residents that the smoke could be “toxic”.

“Due to the smoke being considered toxic, affected residents are urged to stay indoors and secure all doors and windows,” a spokesperson said, echoing FRNSW.