A major fire broke out in Bihar's Saharsa district in the early hours of Monday morning leading to panic among passengers to flee a passenger train in the early hours of the morning train. But in case people on board were not able to save themselves, railway officials quickly evacuated everyone on board, and no injuries or casualties were reported.
The incident took place at around 3:00 a.m. when Train No. 63344 was in service between Samastipur and Saharsa, where it was located at Simri Bakhtiyarpur railway station. According to railway authorities, flames were first seen in the locomotive (engine) of the train and then spread to the coach directly attached to it.
As soon as the fire was detected, railway staff and emergency personnel rushed to the scene. Passengers were immediately asked to disembark from the train, and the evacuation was completed safely before the fire could spread to other coaches.
Fire brigade teams were immediately assigned to the station and were able to bring the fire under control due to their firefighting efforts. Their quick response averted a potentially disastrous disaster and limited the damage mainly to the engine and the coach.
Railway officials confirmed that all passengers were rescued and no life was lost. The timely evacuation ensured that everyone on board was kept safe and not injured.
As of now, there is evidence so far that the fire started in the locomotive, but the exact cause has not been identified. Technical experts and railway authorities have launched a probe into what caused the fire and are trying to determine the cause. The damaged train has been isolated to study the damage.
The firefighting and safety checks temporarily disrupted rail service in the section. Railway officials then started to return to normal services after track and surrounding infrastructure were safe for the trains to proceed.
Train fire incidents are very rare but are treated with an extraordinary level of priority by Indian Railways as the risks of trains burning are serious for passengers. Railway authorities have also stressed that the emergency response protocols were taken quickly by the railway authorities to avoid any imminent disaster.
The locomotive and electrical systems will also be investigated to determine whether the fire was caused by a technical malfunction, electrical fault, or another mechanical problem. After the investigation is complete, a detailed report will be generated.
Passengers hailed the quick response of railway staff and emergency workers who quickly moved to keep the passengers safe. Authorities have assured the public that all necessary measures are being taken to prevent similar incidents in the future and to maintain the highest standards of railway safety.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of robust emergency preparedness and quick response mechanisms in order to maintain passenger safety in India’s vast railway network.
