Third train in flames in less than a month
another Metrorail train has gone up in flames, bringing to three the number of trains destroyed in this manner in less than a month.
Metrorail regional spokesperson Riana Scott confirmed that a fire was reported at 2:50pm on board a Fish Hoek-bound train at Steenberg Station.
She said preliminary feedback from the scene indicated that three carriages had sustained damages and commuters on board were safely evacuated and no injuries were reported.
City Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson Theo Layne said: “The cause has not been determined.”
Layne said two fire engines, two water tankers and rescue vehicles with 16 firefighters were on the scene.
Scott said the damaged carriages will be taken to the depot for further investigation and assessment by the Passenger Rail Agency for SA’s (Prasa) loss adjusters.
“The cause of the fire and estimate of damage will be assessed during post-incident investigations,” she said.
Metrorail implemented alternative operational arrangements until the scene was cleared and police had completed their investigation.
“Simon’s Town trains from Cape Town terminate at Retreat. There will be a single line operation from Retreat to Fish Hoek; and a bus shuttle from Fish Hoek to Simon’s Town,” she said.
Scott urged anyone with information or footage of the event to provide it to police. She said all reports will be investigated and treated in strictest confidence.
“Rewards of up to R25 000 are payable for information leading to successful convictions,” she said.
Meanwhile, in a similar incident in Ottery over two weeks ago, a female commuter died, four others were injured and another woman sustained serious burns to the face. The fire had started from the driver’s area and spread towards other sections of the train.
Firefighters said it was a suspected arson attack.
At the time, Transport Minister Blade Nzimande was called to account for the alleged arson attacks on train carriages in the Western Cape. Just a week before the Ottery incident, another train was torched near Retreat station.
DA councillor Nceba Hinana said the attacks reflect Prasa’s “inability to beef up security for its commuters and infrastructure”.