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Power cut threatens lives of fish | Power cut threatens lives of fish |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Some of the most exotic species at the National Sea Life Centre in Birmingham could die if electricity is not restored after a black out. | |
The power cut has left temperatures in the tanks at the centre at critical levels, said manager Ian Crabbe. | |
Supplies were cut to 8,500 businesses and homes in the city centre at 0330 GMT due to a fire in a sub station. | Supplies were cut to 8,500 businesses and homes in the city centre at 0330 GMT due to a fire in a sub station. |
Only eight properties - including the Sea Life Centre - were still not reconnected by Saturday evening. | |
"There is a grave risk of animals dying," said Mr Crabbe. | "There is a grave risk of animals dying," said Mr Crabbe. |
Black tipped shark | Black tipped shark |
He said supplies at the centre had been off since about 0100 GMT. | He said supplies at the centre had been off since about 0100 GMT. |
Emergency generators were being used - but they only circulate water in the tanks and do not have enough power to heat the main container which has a 200,000 gallons (one million litres) capacity. | |
He said that by the middle of the afternoon the water temperature in the tank was dropping at a rate of one degree an hour. | |
Electricity company Central Network had said supplies would not be restored until well into the night but that put the fish at great risk, he said. | |
"If we don't get the power back on soon there is the real risk of mortalities," he said. | |
He added that species like the giant Hawaiian turtle and the black tipped shark were at risk. | He added that species like the giant Hawaiian turtle and the black tipped shark were at risk. |
Water tanker | |
Gas heaters were being brought into the building to try and maintain the ambient temperature, he said. | Gas heaters were being brought into the building to try and maintain the ambient temperature, he said. |
In addition he said a lorry with a heated water tank had been sent from the centre's biology department in Dorset, but that would not have enough room to house all the fish from the centre. | |
He added that a member of the centre staff would be staying in there overnight to check on the water temperature and the condition of the fish. | |
A spokesman for Central Networks has said that engineers were working to reconnect supplies as quickly as possible. |
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