FIRE EXTINGUISHED

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 123, 19 February 1944, Page 8

FIRE EXTINGUISHED

Damage At Yallourn Less Than Expected (Received February 18, 10.30 p.m.) MELBOURNE, February 18. The fire in the open cut of the. brown coalmine at Yallourn was extinguished this morning, enabling a survey of the damage. This is believed to be much less than was first thought. It may he possible to effect an improvement in the drastic electricity restrictions, under which Victoria is now suffering, within a fortnight. ' Yallourn power-house, one of the largest in the world using brown coal, normally supplies two-thirds of the electricity used in Victoria. One of the huge bucket dredges used for the coal -winning has almost entirely escaped damage, and it is not thought that the other main dredge is seriously damaged. Before they can be brought, into use practically the whole of the electric railway tracks on the floor of the open cut, by which the coal is hauled to the. powerhouse must be relaid, as the entire system is burnt out. This work is beginning immediately. Meanwhile drastic restrictions in the use of electricity, continue. No current is available for householders’between 1.30 a.m. and 5 p.in. The metropolitan area is divided into two groups for industrial purposes, each grout) being allowed power on alternate days. Special provision is made for a continuous supply of power to essential industries, including the food industries. Suburban train and tram services are still drastically reduced.