A charred body was found in a train after blaze at Fish Hoek railway station on Thursday.

Metrorail Western Cape confirmed that two carriages of the train caught alight around 10am Thursday morning.

No injuries were initially reported and all commuters were safely evacuated from the train. However, a body was subsequently discovered in one of the burnt carriages.

“Yesterday not only was to train carriages set alight but it sparked a fire in the area. Later we also found a dead body,” said Metrorail spokesperson Riana Scott.

Fish Hoek police station confirmed that an inquest docket had been released looking into the circumstances surrounding the commuter’s death.

“A body has been found in the burnt out section of the train but information with regards to the deceased is unknown at this stage. An Inquest docket has been opened for investigation,” says spokesperson Captain Van Wyk.

The corpse cannot be identified yet.

Despite the burning train separated by personnel to prevent the fire spreading, a bush was set alight causing the fire to spread through Simons Town Road.

“Two carriages were totally destroyed by the fire that had occurred with the flames also jumping to Simons Town Road and setting the bush alight,” says Van Wyk.

Fire fighters were on the scene almost immediately. The fire was contained with three helicopters dealing with the fire on the mountain side.

Metrorail suspects that it is a possible arson attack. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Trains are forced to terminate at Fish Hoek Station until the on-site police investigation is complete.

The carriages have been repaired and the railway station is up and running again.

Metrorail upped its reward for information to R100 000, guaranteeing full anonymity to anyone providing information to secure a conviction.

The railway service appeals to the community to assist in finding the culprits.

“These are no longer arson attacks it is murder someone was killed and we sympathise with this dear person’s family,” said Scott. VOC