Metrorail has suffered another setback on Thursday when three train carriages started burning at Retreat Station.
Commuters travelling along the Southern Line suffered delays of an hour following the incident, which took place after 10.30am.
SETBACK: Metrorail train on fire at Retreat station. Video: Supplied
Metrorail sent out an announcement on its social media pages that a shuttle service for train commuters would be made available.
Spokesperson for the City’s Fire and Rescue Services, Theo Layne, says firefighters had to wait for technicians to isolate the electricity before the blaze could be extinguished.
“At 10:33am a train was alight at Retreat Train Station. There were two fire engines, a water tanker and a rescue vehicle with 14 firefighters,” he says.
“There were three train carriages alight. Firefighters had to await the arrival of a technician to isolate electricity.”
Metrorail spokesperson Riana Scott confirmed the fire and says no one was hurt in the incident.
“Preliminary information from the site is that no injuries were reported. Metrorail employees separated the burning carriages from the rest of the train, preventing further damages,” Scott says.
“Five carriages confirmed damaged so far, an overhead electrical cable damaged and traction power off.”
Scott says the fire was extinguished by 12.10pm and that the cause of the fire is
not known.
“SAPS, Metrorail Protection Services, a forensic team and Train Operations crews remain on site for the requisite investigations. 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 are yet to be determined,” Scott explains.
On Saturday, Metrorail suffered damages of R30 million when trains on platforms 15 and 16 were set alight at the Cape Town Central Train Station.
Prasa says 14 carriages were destroyed and police are investigating a case of arson.