Oil theft triggers power outage across three parishes; supply to return shortly

Electricity is expected to be restored shortly to some 2,000 residents across three parishes who have been without power since this morning.

The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) said the illegal extraction of oil by thieves from a transformer at the Blackstonedge substation in St Catherine triggered the power outage.

As a result, customers in sections of St Catherine, St Mary, and St Ann were left without power supply.

JPS crews who have been carrying out repairs to the transformer are nearly finish, a JPS official said a short while ago.

The affected areas were:

St Catherine: Blackstonedge, Guys Hill, Tavern Hill, Benbow, Devil's Race Course, Bonnet, Corner Rest, Waterford, Seafield, Spring Field, Hartland Road, Golden Grove, Decoy, Clifford District, Carron Hall, Caanan, Lime Hall, Mews and Ragsville.

St Mary: Palmeto Grove, Windsor, Woodside, Pear Tree Grove, Louisiana, Montreal, Change Hill, New Works, Clay Land, Belle Hill, Blue Gatel and White Spring.

St Ann: Middlesex, Wallenford, Turnberry, Grey Wood, White Hall, Castle Kelly, Tindale. 

The JPS is urging unauthorised individuals to avoid trespassing on its properties.

The light and power provider warned that this is unsafe and results in major inconvenience to customers and businesses, as well as causes the company to incur exorbitant repair costs.