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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 power cut. 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 outage has left temperatures in the tanks at the centre at critical levels, said manager Ian Crabbe. 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.
All but 13 properties were reconnected at around midday, but not at the centre in Brindley Place. 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 sharkBlack 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 those only circulate water in the tanks, they do not have enough power to heat the main tank which holds one million litres. 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 1500 GMT the water temperature in the tank was dropping at a rate of one degree an hour. 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 might be restored in the early evening but that put the fish at great risk, he said. 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." "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 was looking at organising a fish tank to be sent from their biology department in Dorset, but that would not have enough room to house all the fish from the centre. 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.
A spokesman for Central Networks has said that engineers are working to reconnect supplies as quickly as possible. 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.