The City’s Fire and Rescue Service attended a scene at the Transnet Engineering Yard in Maitland on Sunday afternoon where several train carriages were on fire.
Panicked road users passing the yard off the N1 contacted local emergency authorities after noticing black smoke at the yard.
It comes after several Metrorail trains were torched
recently, leading to late or cancelled trains.
Metrorail spokesperson, Riana Scott, onb Sunday confirmed the burnt carriages belonged to them, but were not active.
She said the carriages were unused and stationary in the Transnet lot.
Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson, Jermaine Carelse, says: “Yesterday afternoon at about 1.40pm the City’s Fire and Rescue Services responded to trains alight at the Transnet Engineering Yard in Maitland. Five fire engines, a rescue vehicle and 21 staff members reported to the scene.
“The fire has been contained to several disused carriages. No injuries have been reported and the cause of the fire is undetermined.”
Last week platforms 5 and 6 at Cape Town Train Station were closed after an electrical fault.
Tuesday evening’s fire was the second this year, preceded by an incident on 21 April in which 10 carriages were damaged.
Metrorail says the exact replacement cost will only be confirmed after their assessment, but historically similar losses have amounted to about R3 million.