Visakhapatnam, December 29 (). According to preliminary investigation by railway officials, the fire in the Tatanagar-Ernakulam Express started from linen storage.
A passenger died after a fire broke out in two coaches of a train at Yelamanchili in Anakapalle district in the early hours of Monday.
Initial investigation revealed that the fire did not originate from the electrical panel side of the coach (which usually happens). South Central Railway said that the fire broke out in the linen storage area.
The Commissioner of Railway Safety, South Central Circle, will conduct a detailed investigation into the fire incident.
A fire broke out in one coach of the express train, which spread to another coach.
A gap was created by immediately separating the coaches and pulling them away by deploying a shunting loco.
All the passengers got down, but one passenger, Chandrashekhar Sundar, 70, could not get down and died in the fire.
SCR said the family would be compensated.
Train No. 18189 Tatanagar-Ernakulam Express, reported a fire incident at around 00:45 hrs while reaching Yelamanchili Railway Station.
It was told that fire broke out in B1 and M2 coaches. Railway staff took swift action and immediately informed the fire brigade. Railway officials also took immediate action and helped the passengers get down from the train. The fire brigade reached the spot and extinguished the fire.
When the fire broke out in the train, there were 82 passengers in B-1 coach and 75 passengers in M-2 coach.
Railway officials said the affected coaches were isolated, and another AC 3 tier coach (M1) was also isolated as a precautionary measure.
The remaining train was taken to Samalkot railway station. The affected train left for its destination at 10.45 am with three additional coaches.
From Yelamanchili, all the stranded passengers were taken by road to Samalkot railway station and put in spare coaches of the train.
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu praised the prompt and coordinated action of the Yelamanchili Police and Fire Department, which led to the rescue of more than 150 passengers after the coaches of the Tatanagar-Ernakulam Express caught fire and halted the train.
He wrote that I also appreciate the prompt action of the RPF and Railway staff, who immediately separated the front and rear coaches, thereby avoiding further damage. His professionalism, timely help, and effective crowd management ensured that the situation was handled safely and smoothly. Unfortunately, one life has been lost in this incident. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved family.
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AMT/DKP
