SMRT isolates power cubicle that caught fire

It works with two manufacturers and LTA to ensure stable power supply; joint probe into root cause of fire

- Kok Yufeng

The power system cubicle at Kim Chuan Depot that caught fire on Sept 18 and led to a second consecutive day of disruptions for Circle Line (CCL) passengers has been isolated from the network, as SMRT engineers worked overnight to ensure smooth operations on Sept 19.

In an update on Facebook, the rail operator said it worked closely with the original equipment manufacturers and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) on a joint recovery plan during engineering hours to ensure stable power supply to the 35km MRT line.

SMRT said it would also continue to work with LTA and the two manufacturers German conglomerate Siemens and a company called Ideal in a joint investigation to determine the fire's root cause.

The parties will also assess if the incident on Sept 18 was related to an earlier power fault that crippled the CCL for nearly two hours during the evening peak period on Sept 17 and caused 11 trains to stall in the rail line's tunnels.