6 carriages damaged in train station fire
PLUMES of black smoke poured out of the Cape Town train station yesterday as yet another train went up in flames.
Hordes of people gathered inside the station, taking pictures of the burning train while firefighters doused the flames.
Many were speculating as to what had happened. One cleaner said she was on the platform when the fire started, but was not sure how it started.
The cleaner, who asked not to be named, said they noticed black smoke coming from inside one of the carriages that had been standing on platform 15.
She said that the train had been at the station the entire day and no people were on it at the time the fire started.
City fire and rescue spokesman Theo Layne said that the fire started at about 4pm yesterday. “There were six carriages that were damaged by the fire and no injuries were reported. The cause is still undetermined at this stage.”
Layne said they had to wait for the power to be isolated before they could douse the flames. The fire was put out just before 6pm although firefighters continued to focus on hotspots.
Metrorail spokeswoman Riana Scott said that the cause of the fire was still unknown and teams were investigating, but said no commuters were affected. “We still don’t know what the damage to the platform is and if the train will be able to be used today. It is still under investigation.”
Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Andrè Traut confirmed the incident and said that the circumstances surrounding the fire were still being investigated.
In October, a train was set alight at Muizenberg station in an arson attack that saw three carriages being damaged.
Three teenagers were later arrested after they were seen running from the scene. They were suspected of starting the fire but were later released.
Later in October, two carriages were burnt at Cape Town station, also in an apparent arson attack, where a passenger coach and motor coach were set alight.