Sydney substation fire cuts power to more than 26,000 properties

A popular shopping centre was among 26,000 properties blacked out across Sydney’s upper north shore and Hills District after a fire at the Hornsby power substation.

Video shared on social media showed the corridors of Westfield Hornsby almost empty during the usual lunch rush, as shops, restaurants and cafes were forced to close due to the blackout.

“We are trying to keep everything cool and do the best we can until the power comes back on,” a centre butcher told 9News.

Florence Pharmacy also had financial losses when important vaccines and antibiotics had to be thrown away because the fridge stopped working.

Many of the cafes and businesses outside on The Promenade were also affected and had to close their doors to customers.

“There’s no cooking, no serving. It’s getting too hot in the kitchen,” a café owner said. 

Traffic lights were also affected and police were required to direct cars outside.

Emergency services responded to reports of a fire in the cable basement of the substation just before midday today, according to energy distribution company Ausgrid.

“We were called to a fire here and there was smoke coming out everywhere,” NSW Fire and Rescue’s Todd Kaehne told 9News.

Power supply was interrupted in parts of Hornsby, Waitara, Asquith, Hornsby Heights, Wahroonga, Galston, Thornleigh, Mount Colah and Normanhurst.

“Crews are assessing the level of the damage before commencing work to restore power safely,” the company said in a statement to Twitter.