5PM UPDATE: TasNetworks hopes to restore electricity to the affected area tonight (Saturday), but every property will need to be individually inspected prior to having its supply restored. This may mean some properties are without power until Sunday.
EASLIER : The Salvation Army is setting up its emergency kitchen to provide hot food and drinks to New Norfolk residents affected by an extended power outage this afternoon. About 80 homes in the New Norfolk North area have been without power since about 9am and some have been told the outage could last for 20 hours.
The Derwent Valley Salvation Army has only just packed up its barbecue at the New Norfolk Market and is heading out again to provide sausages, hamburgers, tea and coffee, to residents without power. The area affected is part of Derwent Terrace, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Avenues, and all of Craw and Pearson streets.
The Salvation Army will set up its emergency kitchen on the corner of Derwent Tce and Pearson St.
It is understood that a fault in an electrical transformer sent a power surge through homes in the area at about 9am, tripping power supplies and causing a number of small fires. TasNetworks crews were soon on the scene, along with police and several local fire brigades.
Follow the TasNetworks website for updates.
