VIJAYAWADA: A major fire broke out on Tirumala Express at the Visakhapatnam railway station on Sunday morning. However, no casualties were reported.
The Korba-Visakhapatnam Express arrived at the railway station at 6.30 am, and was stationed on Platform Number 4. The train was scheduled to depart for Tirumala in the afternoon as Tirumala Express. The fire broke out on the train about three hours after its arrival at the station.
The train was set to be locked and moved to the coaching depot at 9.45 am. During arrangements for its departure, smoke was found emanating from B7 coach. The fire reportedly spread to B6 and M1 coaches. The affected coaches were promptly detached from the train and taken away. The B7 coach was completely damaged, while the B6 and M1 coaches were partially damaged in the fire. Fire services personnel, railway officials, railway police, and Railway Protection Force promptly rushed to the spot. To ventilate the affected coach and gain access, the fire services personnel, broke the glass windows of the 3rd AC (B7) coach.
Four fire tenders were then deployed to extinguish the flames and clear the smoke, bringing the situation under control by 11.30 am.
The railway officials maintained that only one coach was affected, and their quick response ensured that the situation was brought under control soon after the incident. “All trains have left Visakhapatnam on time, and train operations are not affected.
The damaged coach was taken to the maintenance depot for investigation. All trains are running as per schedule. An inquiry has been ordered into the incident.
Regional Forensic Lab to lead investigation
Expert teams from the East Coast Railway Headquarters, Integral Coach Factory, RDSO Lucknow, and the State forensics team have been called to assist in the inquiry,” the railway officials added.
Visakhapatnam Commissioner of Police Shanka Brata Bagchi said the Regional Forensic Science Laboratory will lead the investigation, utilising specialised expertise to identify the origin and circumstances of the blaze. The Police Department has deployed a crime spot vehicle, and a forensics team to collect and analyse evidence from the scene, he said.
Eyewitnesses at the railway station said, “Initially, we saw a small amount of smoke emanating from the coach, but it quickly spread and escalated into a massive fire. The thick smoke engulfed the platform, making it difficult for us to see anything. Thanks to the swift response of the police and fire services personnel, the fire was brought under control within a short time.”