More than 200 residential houses and dozens of educational institutions in this area of the capital were left without hot water and heating last night. The cause was found out by power engineers: one of the devices of underground communication, the compensator, was out of order. It is responsible for the interruption of water supply during sharp temperature drops. Emergency crews worked at the site without interruption to repair the damage as soon as possible.
The residents of the whole district of Minsk found themselves without civilization benefits and, most importantly, without heat. Such a situation had never happened in the capital. The night before, the batteries were cold, the water in the taps changed color and smell. Specialists had to work as quickly as possible.
Alexander Dragun, Chief Engineer of Minsk Heating Networks branch of Minskenergo: "We don't know the cause of the compensator damage yet. All such cases are investigated by a special commission. If necessary, we will involve experts in metal and welding in order to determine the cause of the compensator breakage".
Emergency crews went to the scene of the accident in emergency mode. For several hours the specialists were dismantling the equipment and cutting off water in the underground utilities.
Now the specialists proceeded to welding. For this purpose, a special hole was made in the pipe, to make it easier to get to the damaged area.
It was decided to postpone classes at schools and gymnasiums for the next week. And parents of preschoolers were recommended to leave their children at home, but at the same time duty groups were organized in all institutions.
For the youngest children in the groups, the optimal temperature was maintained with the help of heaters.
Natalia Maksimova, head of nursery-kindergarten №94 in Minsk: "We have everything normal now - the temperature is kept in the range of 19 to 21-22 degrees. Meals are provided by us, we heat water in special electric boilers, and our assistants distribute it among the groups.
In the afternoon, the repairs of the heating mains were completed. The checks of its performance were also completed. Now Minsk heat distribution network teams and emergency services of the city are engaged in ventilation of pipes and the resumption of communications. Heat has already started to get into apartments.
