Train Departs Late as Blaze Erupts Before Scheduled 6:45 AM Departure; Short Circuit Suspected
Key Points:
- Coach of Sasaram-Patna Fast Passenger 53212 gutted by fire at platform 6
- Fire brought under control by local fire brigade and railway staff
- Passengers evacuated safely; short circuit suspected as cause
SASARAM – A fire broke out in a coach of the Sasaram-Patna Fast Passenger train at Sasaram railway station on Monday, gutting one general compartment and triggering a major scare among passengers.
The fire was reported on platform number 6. It broke out in the fifth coach from the engine. The incident occurred before the train’s scheduled 6:45 AM departure. Passengers had already disembarked from the Sasaram-Patna route train by the time the flames spread.
The blaze was intense enough to deter bystanders from approaching the spot. Meanwhile, a local fire brigade vehicle and railway personnel rushed to the scene. They brought the fire under control before it could spread further.
Officials then detached the burning coach from the engine. However, the compartment was completely destroyed in the fire.
A reliable source said the cause was likely a short circuit, though investigations were still underway. A short circuit in railway coaches is not uncommon. On the other hand, no injuries to passengers were reported in the incident.
The train was yet to depart when the fire broke out. This meant fewer passengers were on board at the time. Passengers on railway safety and fire hazards have been a persistent concern on Indian Railways.
In a similar recent incident, a Patna Intercity train was rerouted due to a mega-block at Gaya Junction. Railway officials have in the past stressed the need for regular inspection of passenger train coaches to prevent such mishaps.
The Indian Railway authorities were alerted about the fire. Meanwhile, the railway workers on the ground played a key role in dousing the fire. Efforts were on to restore normal train operations at the station.
