During the night from Saturday to Sunday, around 2 a.m., gusts of wind overcame a distribution cable which fell on the catenary (3,000 volts) of railway line 162 Brussels -Arlon. This caused a short circuit leading to chain consequences including overvoltage on the electrical installations of homes on rue de la Savenière in Sberchamps (Libramont).
The fire even broke out in the garage of one of the houses on the street following the explosion of electrical outlets. And, despite the rapid intervention of the firefighters from Bertrix, Saint-Hubert and Neufchâteau, already heavily strained elsewhere by falling trees, the garage was completely destroyed! “Fortunatelyexplains Laurence Crucifix, the mayor of Libramont who went to the scene around 3 a.m., there were no injuries. When I arrived, people were in the street wondering what was happening. They had been awakened by the explosion of power sockets in their home and even an electric meter which burned in a house! It's quite impressive.”said the mayor, who explained that the owners of the damaged garage had had time to remove one of their two cars.
To access this article, please connect to the internet.
