Yet another burning train pulled into Retreat Station at about 10.30am today. Metrorail employees separated the burning carriages from the rest of the train to prevent further damage.
Five carriages were damaged during the fire, as well as overhead electrical cables and the track itself. The blaze was doused at 12.10pm.
“SAPS, Metrorail Protection Services, a forensic team and Train Operations crews remain on-site for the requisite investigations,” Metrorail said. “A mop-up crew with diesel locomotive is en route to move the damaged train to a depot for further assessment by PRASA’s loss adjusters.”
The cause of the fire and the cost of the damage is yet to be determined. On Saturday, a fire engulfed 11 train carriages at Cape Town station which cost an estimated R30-million in damages. This is the sixth incident in a series of trains fires that have accorded in the last few months. No arrests have been made, and police are not certain if the incidents are linked.
The following train schedule changes have been implemented for today:
– Cape Town to Simon’s Town train will terminate at Steurhof
– A limited bus shuttle will operate between Steurhof – Steenberg
– A train shuttle will operate between Steenberg – Fish Hoek
– Journey times are extended by 60+minutes.
Pictures: Metrorail and City of Cape Town