Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) teams rushed to the Germiston Train Station this evening (Tuesday) to fight a train fire.
Eric Maloka, media liaison for DEMS, told the GCN that the fire was started by disgruntled commuters as there was a delay in the train service between Germiston and Kseseni.
Four coaches were set alight.
Two coaches were completely burnt, while the remaining two were partially  burnt.
The fire started at 7.10pm on Platform Three.
Firefighting teams from Germiston, Boksburg, Wadeville and Primrose responded.
“Upon arrival the firefighters discovered the power to the train was still connected.
“Teams had to wait for the power to be disconnected before they could begin to fight the flames,” said Maloka.
By about 9pm firefighters had managed to extinguish the flames and were busy with damping down procedures.
Maloka told the GCN one coach in a second passenger train was set alight near the border of the metro and the Johannesburg metro.
Bedfordview firefighters responded but Johannesburg firefighting teams were already on scene.
No one was injured in the blazes.
“Commuters in Germiston who were left stranded due to the fire had to be dispersed by SAPS and EMPD members after they became unruly when their demands for alternative transport were not met,” Maloka said.
The GCN attempted to contact Prasa’s Lillian Mofokeng for comment but was unsuccessful.
An official statement will reportedly be released tomorrow (Wednesday).
More details to follow as they become available.
