/ 14 September 2005

Metrorail investigates East Rand train fire

Metrorail will investigate the cause of a fire that on Wednesday burnt down four train coaches and one motor coach at Daveyton station on the East Rand.

”Before the incident, Metrorail technicians were fixing the fault in the overhead lines which had rendered other railway tracks in the station unusable,” said Metrorail CEO Lauriette Modipane.

Police spokesperson Superintendent Eugene Opperman said the train was set on fire by angry commuters because it had been late.

”We wish to make a strong appeal to our commuters to exercise patience in times of train delays,” said Modipane.

The affected railway track had been cleared and trains were back to normal service by late on Wednesday afternoon. — Sapa