LOOK: Metrorail temporarily closes entire regional service after fire at Cape Town station

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Cape Town – Thousands of commuters in the Western Cape were left stranded this morning after a fire at Cape Town station in the early hours. The City's Fire and Rescue Service were called to respond to the blaze at 2.20am. It was extinguished at 4.53am. Cape Town station has been closed temporarily and the entire regional train service is suspended until further notice. "Two trains were initially on fire, but it soon spread to adjacent platforms. In total, 18 carriages were destroyed by fire and platforms 9 to 16 are closed," said Western Cape Metrorail spokesperson Riana Scott. "The entire Cape Town station is closed temporarily and the entire regional train service is suspended until further notice.

"Commuters are advised to find alternative transport and we will update commuters during the course of the day as events unfold."

The City of Cape Town said: "At 02:20 this morning, the City's Fire and Rescue Service responded to train carriages alight at Cape Town railway station.

"The first arriving crews from Roeland Street fire (station) confirmed train carriages alight on platforms 9 and 10.

"Upon further investigation it was found (there were) fires on platforms 12, 13 and 15 as well and more resources were requested to contain the blaze.

"A number of motor coaches and passenger coaches were destroyed and the fire was extinguished at 04:53.

"No injuries were reported and the scene was handed over to the Passenger Rail Association of South Africa."

The cause of the fire is still unknown.

Cape Town - #MetroRail (Update): FIRE at Cape Town Station - regional train services are SUSPENDED via @ShaneJeremy1 pic.twitter.com/Q6gwiXwAMj — Rob Beezy (@TrafficSA) November 28, 2019