A Department of Natural Resources and Mines spokesman confirms that they were inspecting the Pendine Street Substation – which was the site of the fire. 

“An electrical inspector from the Department of Natural Resources and Mines is on-site today assessing the cause of yesterday’s incident at the Pendine Street Substation,” he said. 

UPDATE Tuesday 10.45am.

A GROUP of Queensland Fire and Emergency staff and Mount Isa Mines employees were seen in front of the burnt transformers at about 10am. 

This was shortly after the mine released a short statement explaining that they are in the process of restoring power to surface operations. 

“Our underground mines are operating as normal,” a Mount Isa Mines spokesperson said. 

“As always, the safety and health of our employees is our highest priority.” 

Mount Isa Police District acting Inspector Brad Inskip said police and the Department of Natural Resources and Mines were investigating the cause of the fire. 

“So basically we will treat that scene as suspicious until proven otherwise...there’s basically no indication at this stage of suspicious activity. We just need to investigate so that’s the case.” 

He said the fire was not at risk of being exposed to any nearby fuels or toxins from the mine or acid plant. 

“No there was not. It was pretty much contained to that one specific site and it was isolated very quickly,” acting Inspector Inskip said. 

He said the fire was extinguished at 8.10pm. 

“There was a delay in firies being able to access the scene,” he said. “It took a while to shut power to the area for firies to enter, and time to de-energise.

“Nobody was injured at the time because nobody was working on that site.” 

The QFES used air quality monitors and checked wind direction to check to see if local residents were at risk of any fumes. There was oil burning in the fire, acting Inspector Inskip said. 

The Queensland Fire and Emergency Service confirmed it attended the fire but referred further comment to the Department of Natural Resources and Mines. 

The department prepares a statement which is likely to confirm its involvement in an investigation. 

UPDATE Tuesday 7.30am.

The fire was put out at 8pm Monday after five hours but investigations are continuing into the cause.

Police issued a precautionary measure for people near the fire not to touch metallic objects.

Mount Isa Mines have not yet issued a second statement since their statement 4pm yesterday.

UPDATE Monday 5pm: Mount Isa Mines has confirmed a fire has occurred in an electrical transformer at approximately 3pm today causing a partial power outage to their surface operations.

“Emergency response procedures have been activated. Queensland Police Services and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services are currently responding to the incident,” they said in a statement.

“There have been no injuries reported and the health and safety of our people and surrounding residents remains our top priority.”

Mount Isa Mines said further information will be provided when available.

Original story 4pm

A fire has broken out at Mount Isa Mines grounds this afternoon on Railway Avenue.

Plumes of thick, black smoke could be seen above the plant on the east side of the mine, where emergency services tended to the scene.

Flames could clearly be seen from Railway Avenue, which was partly closed to traffic.

Two fire engines and at least three Police vehicles were present. Police were advising pedestrians to stay away from the area.

There have been no reported injuries so far.

Several local residents captured video of the blaze on their cellphones, from the footpath. 

Glencore Mount Isa Mines has been contacted for a comment.