Due to transformer damage, classes were suspended today at Smiltene Secondary School, confirmed the school's director Inguna Kondratjeva to the LETA agency.
It was reported that in the morning, a transformer located outside the school building caught fire, prompting the State Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) to be called.
According to SFRS representative Sandra Veinīte, the fire in the transformer occurred over an area of one square meter. The fire has been extinguished.
According to Kondratjeva, due to the transformer fire, the school lost electricity, making it impossible to provide water, heating, and food for the students. As a result, it was decided to suspend the educational process, and the students were sent home.
The director reported that currently, JSC Sadales tīkls is repairing the transformer. It is possible that the repairs will be completed by the end of the day. It is still unknown whether classes will be held tomorrow.
As informed to the LETA agency by Sadales tīkls representative Alīna Sildnik, an accident was recorded in the low-voltage (0.4 kV) power network around 8:30 AM today, resulting in power outages for approximately 1300 customers in Smiltene. Due to the damage, smoke was observed at the transformer substation located at Dakteru Street, 27A.
Sadales tīkls immediately began localizing the damage. After conducting switches in the power network, electricity was restored to most customers within a few minutes. Currently, five customers remain without electricity, including a nearby educational institution.
The emergency repair team continues work at the scene — the damaged equipment has already been dismantled, and new equipment is currently being installed. After the work is completed, electricity will be restored to all customers, as promised by Sadales tīkls.
The cause of the damage may have been fluctuations in air temperature and increased humidity, Sildnik added.
