September 30, 2014
The D’Aguilar Highway was closed for several hours – and more than 1000 Nanango customers were left without power – after a fire near the Big Bucket on Tuesday afternoon.
Witnesses heard a loud bang and then saw smoke coming from the vacant land near the tourist attraction.
It is not known at present whether a fire damaged a power pole, or a problem with a power pole started a fire.
Either way, power was cut at 2:46pm as the blaze spread into nearby bushland.
One power line was on the ground while others were sagging.
Police and SES crews blocked the highway, diverting highway traffic from the south via Nanango-Tarong, Allen, Andrews and Major roads.
Firefighters quickly extinguished the flames, allowing Ergon Energy crews in to repair the lines.
The highway re-opened at 6:20pm and all power was restored at 6:48pm.
Footnote: The diverted traffic stirred up a large cloud of white dust along Allen, Andrews and Major roads which severely cut visibility for drivers, especially those heading west as the sun set.
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UPDATE October 1: An Ergon Energy spokesman confirmed this morning that the incident occurred when a cross-arm failed on a power pole.
This resulted in the power lines coming down and clashing with lower voltage power lines underneath.
Sparks ignited a grass fire.
The power interruption affected 1032 Nanango customers from 2:46pm. Power was restored to all but 97 customers about 5:00pm and fully restored after the repairs were completed at 6:48pm.
Police blocked the highway because there were powerlines remaining intact at a low height over the road.
