Published by on

A fire that broke out on Saturday afternoon at Cape Town Station in the CBD, has caused extensive damage. According to reports, 11 trains were destroyed and the station suffered extensive damage. 

The cause of the fire is still unknown and no injuries have been reported. Platforms 15 and 16 at the station were affected.

Cape Town Fire and Rescue Chief, Theo Layne, said four engines and two water tankers were on scene to contain the fire. Layne told the Citizen, “We are currently dealing with a train fire at Cape Town train station where they have numerous carriages that are alight. Four fire engines, two water tankers are on the scene. No injuries have been reported as yet. The cause of the fire is undetermined at this stage.”

In the past few months, three trains were set alight while en route to their destinations. One person also died as a result. Police have been investigating cases of arson and damage to property, but no arrests have been forthcoming.

Metrorail amounted the costs of the train fires to R19-million. The estimate for the damage in today’s fire are still to be assessed and calculated.

At this point, it is unknown how the fires will affect commuters.


Pictures: Twitter

Article written by

Nidha Narrandes is a food-obsessed travel addict with 21 years of journalism experience. Her motto - Travel. Eat. Repeat. She is happiest on a road to nowhere without a plan. A masterchef at home, she can't do without chilli - because chilli makes the world a tastier place.