Three separate attacks rocks Cape Town #TrainArson

Commenting on the incident at Firgrove station in Somerset West, just before 2 pm, City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue spokesperson Theo Layne said in a statement firefighters are “currently dealing with two rail carriages that have been set alight. No injuries have been reported and we have 16 firefighters attending at the scene”

The City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Service had to respond to three separate incidents of trains catching fire on Friday. Regarding another incident, just after 22 pm, Layne said: “The City’s Fire and Rescue Service responded to Cape Town station where we are dealing with one train that is alight.

“The train is currently in the railway station area and firefighting efforts have been hampered by the thick, black smoke emitting from the station area. No injuries have been reported as yet and the cause is undetermined at this stage.”

Cape Town Mayor Patricia de Lille confirmed the incident on Twitter, tweeting: “So sad every time this happens. Another train set alight at Cape Town station. There is no justification for this crime and vandalism that impacts people who need this transport most.”

At 12.26pm on Friday, a train at Mbekweni Station in Paarl caught fire, which brought schedule changes and delays to the Northern Line. A shooting incident allegedly took place aboard the train, Metrorail’s statement read, but no injuries were reported.

“SAPS, Metrorail Protection Services, a forensic team, Fire and Rescue, Transnet Freight Rail and Train Operations crews remain on-site for the requisite investigations,” the statement added.

Commuters in Cape Town are expected to face serious delays. Metrorail said that a more than 60-minute delay is expected on the Northern Line, while the delays on the Southern Line is not yet known. But with platforms 2 and 3 affected by the fire at Cape Town station, long delays are expected on the Southern Line as well.

Source: IOL News