More than 1,500 passengers escaped safely after a Karmabhoomi Express fire engulfed three coaches in Punjab’s Patiala district on Friday. The blaze also partially damaged a fourth coach near Sarai Banjara railway station.
The train was travelling from Amritsar to New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal. Railway officials halted the train after detecting the fire and detached the affected coaches to contain the blaze.
No casualties or injuries were reported. Furthermore, railway authorities arranged alternative transport to help passengers continue their journey.
Karmabhoomi Express fire spreads to four coaches
The fire broke out on the Rajpura-Sirhind railway section as the train passed near Sarai Banjara station. Eyewitnesses and local residents reported seeing thick smoke rising from the burning coaches.
Passengers rushed out of the affected coaches and reached safety. However, strong winds reportedly helped the flames spread beyond the coach where the fire initially started.
“Initially, it was one coach, but as wind was blowing at speed (and as fire spread), a total of four coaches were affected,” Ambala Divisional Railway Manager Vinod Kumar Bhatia told reporters.
Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of Northern Railway’s Ambala Division, Yashanjit Singh, said three general coaches suffered major damage. The fire partially damaged another coach.
Railway officials disconnect OHE lines, detach coaches
Railway authorities shut down both overhead equipment (OHE) lines after detecting the fire. The guard and loco pilot then separated the affected coaches from the remaining train.
This step helped prevent the fire from spreading further. Meanwhile, the guard informed the railway control room, prompting officials to regulate trains operating on other lines.
The train was unreserved, Singh said. Consequently, railway authorities arranged alternative transport for passengers to reach their destination safely.
Railway inquiry to establish cause of fire
Officials have not yet established the cause of the fire. Singh said the incident was a matter of inquiry.
Senior railway officials reached the site after receiving information about the incident. The authorities will investigate the circumstances that led to the blaze.
The incident disrupted operations on the affected railway section. However, the swift evacuation and separation of coaches helped prevent casualties among the more than 1,500 passengers onboard.
