In yet another suspicious incident, two more train carriages were set alight at Cape Town train station today. According to Metrorail, the carriages were already on fire when the train pulled into the station at 7.40pm on Tuesday evening.
Jermaine Carelse, the fire and rescue service spokesperson for Cape Town, told Times Live they were alerted to the fire at around 7.40pm. They were told a fire had broken out on platform six.
Video footage of #Metrorail #trainfire incident at Cape Town station.@Sonkoerant pic.twitter.com/i9A9IjNNpa
— Earl-Ryan September?? (@earlseptember) May 28, 2019
In a statement Metrorail said: “Fire services managed to contain the fire at 8.40pm after the electricity was switched off. Metrorail technical teams are on site to assess the damage and to commence cleaning up operations as soon as possible.”
#TrainFire Fire contained. Metrorail says initial reports indicate three carriages towards the middle of the train have been damaged. pic.twitter.com/9VaDOtmIDp
— Kaylynn Palm (@kaylynnpalm) May 28, 2019
The fire was contained shortly after rescue services arrived and no injuries were reported. The damage is still being assessed.
“Trains arriving and departing from these platforms will be reassigned to alternative platforms. Five other platforms, 12, 13 and 16-19, remain closed at the station as a result of previous fire damage,” said Metrorail.
Cape Town – Another TRAIN FIRE at Cape Town station #MetroRail #TrainFire via @yasminibrahimmm pic.twitter.com/VfZ0CIRc03
— Rob Beezy (@TrafficSA) May 28, 2019
Another #Metrorail #trainfire incident at Cape Town station.
Cause and impact on service still unknown. pic.twitter.com/01fFDUlGMO— Earl-Ryan September?? (@earlseptember) May 28, 2019