Cape Town train fire was "act of revenge"

The fire that gutted a Cape Town train this week may have been an act of revenge by disgruntled passengers, it was reported on Thursday.

Metrorail regional manager Mthuthuzeli Swartz told the Cape Argus officials had ejected some passengers from the train on Tuesday for not having tickets or being able to pay the fare.

"Some of these people could be responsible," Swartz said.

The train was travelling towards Cape Town later in the day when it was set alight when it entered Woodstock station at 4pm.

Four coaches were gutted and three people were treated for smoke inhalation.

Some commuters had to leap to safety to avoid the blaze spreading through the train.

- SAPA