{"id":189272,"date":"2018-10-16T15:37:16","date_gmt":"2018-10-16T13:37:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/?p=189272"},"modified":"2018-10-17T09:55:41","modified_gmt":"2018-10-17T07:55:41","slug":"train-goes-flames-germiston-station","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2018\/10\/16\/train-goes-flames-germiston-station\/","title":{"rendered":"Train goes up in flames at Germiston Station"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) firefighters from Germiston and Boksburg Central fire stations collectively battled the blaze engulfing a passenger train at Germiston Station, today (Tuesday).<\/p>\n

The incident took place at about 9.30am.<\/p>

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\u201cUpon the firefighters\u2019 arrival, two carriages, one being the central engine cart of the train, were found to be burning wildly, with the fire spreading to the adjacent cart,\u201d said William Ntladi, district manager media liaison for DEMS.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe train was at the platform and there weren\u2019t any commuters on the train.\u201d<\/p>

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Active firefighting was initiated after the power supply was cut off for safety reasons.<\/p>\n

A water supply was connected from a hydrant on one of the platforms within the station.<\/p>\n

No casualties were recorded on scene due to the blaze.<\/p>\n

The source of the fire is under investigation by Prasa officials.<\/p>\n

Lillian Mofokeng, senior manager: marketing and communication for Gauteng Metrorail, Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa said, \u201cWe are not sure who set the fire but suspect criminal elements.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrain services are still affected at the station.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mofokeng added that the damage caused amounts to R6.5-million and there were no injuries reported due to the fire.<\/p>\n

No arrests have been made as yet.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have just opened all other lines except Kwesine,\u201d Mofokeng said.<\/p>\n

\u201cElectrical control has confirmed that platforms five, six, seven, eight, nine, and 10 are alive at Germiston Station and platforms three and four are still off and closed due to panto-hookup of 8806.<\/p>\n

\u201cPretoria to JHB trains to run as normal,\u00a0 Leralla-EFT-JHB to run as normal, Springs-Johannesburg to run under pilot, working between East Rand and Germiston Central on the down main line.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Springs crew is currently demanding escorts on each train.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Germiston-Kwesine service is still affected by the closure of platforms three and four, as well as the pilot working between India and Union. Service will resume after the emergency occupation has been cancelled.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Daveyton-Dunswart service is to run a two set shuttle between Daveyton and Dunswart.\u201d<\/p>\n

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ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n

Germiston train collision leaves scores injured<\/a><\/p>\n

Commuters injured when jumping off train<\/a><\/p>\n

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