It has been alleged that the fire came from the restaurant that is situated inside the train.
“The area got blocked off within five minutes of the fire breaking out. The Emergency Management Services reacted swiftly,” says Parkdene CPF member, Kelvin Watson.
Watson says the fire department had the fire out by 9.20pm, but damage had already been done to the section of the train where the restaurant was.
The cause of the fire is still being investigated.
“After we have received reports on the fire, a claim will be submitted to our insurance brokers. They will investigate the matter and determine whether the coach can be repaired or if it is burned beyond economical repairs,” says Jaco Burger of the Ekurhuleni Metro Parks Department.
According to Burger, no animals were injured.
According to Ekurhuleni Emergency Management Services (EMS) media liaison, William Ntladi, the EMS received the call at 8.24pm from Bokkie Park.
“On arrival it was found that the one train coach was well alight inside the Bokkie Park grounds.
“The crew initiated flame knock down strategy, preventing fire from spreading to the other coaches nearby. Fire was brought under control in no time after the arrival of the crews,” says Ntladi.
“The whole coach was damaged due to the fire and the rest were saved. An electrician was called to isolate the power of which it affected the whole of Bokkie Park.
He says the the fire crews which responded to the scene were from Boksburg Central Fire Station, backed up by crews from Germiston Fire Station.
