Metrorail carriages torched
A PREGNANT Metrorail official had to be treated for smoke inhalation yesterday after running across a burning bridge when three carriages went up in flames at the Nolungile train station in Site C, Khayelitsha.
Gwen Goluwe, who is fivemonths pregnant, was one of two ticketing officials who had to be treated by paramedics after the incident shortly after 5am.
It was the second incident in as many months where Metrorail trains were gutted.
The train was stationary at the time.
Fire and Rescue spokesman Theo Layne, who responded to the fire, said it was not yet clear how it started.
Speaking to the Cape Times, a visibly shaken Goluwe said all she could think about was her baby. “We were sitting in the
ticketing office when I started hearing people shouting, and then I smelt the smoke.
“Everyone in the office ran out. The smoke was everywhere, so we couldn’t see anything. We ran from the bridge out of the station because I was so worried that the smoke could be bad for my baby,” she said.
When the Cape Times arrived at the scene, Goluwe, along with another woman who declined to be identified, were being treated by paramedics. The bridge above the platform was slightly charred.
A number of commuters were standing outside the station lining up to get on to one of the private buses which Metrorail had arranged. Several officials were on the train tracks inspecting the cables above the gutted carriages.
An hour after the fire had been doused, smoke was still emitting from the train.
The ticket booth was seemingly abandoned as workers were left shaken.
Metrorail spokeswoman Riana Scott said: “Two carriages were extensively damaged, one suffered slight damage. No injuries were reported and emergency services were on site to contain the fire.” Scott said sections of the track between Nyanga and Khayelitsha station were closed for the duration of the on-site police investigation, but were opened by 8.30am.
“Alternative arrangements were made to assist commuters in the area…” she said.
Scott said investigations were under way to ascertain the cause of the fire. Last month, three carriages were torched at Kuils River station.