Timely action saves Andaman Express from major fire

JHANSI: A serious tragedy was averted due to timely rescue measures taken in Chennai-bound Andaman Express, which caught fire near Jhansi Railway Station in the early hours of Monday. The 20-bogie train coming from Jammu, had four parcel carriages just behind the engine. It arrived at 2.00 am at Jhansi Station. Some passengers smelt something burning from the parcel section but overlooked it because nothing was visible.

As the train started and moved further, the driver observed smoke coming out from a carriage. He halted the train near Bijauli station, 10 kilometres from Jhansi and raised an alarm. In the meantime, the fire got intensified. Railway officials and the safety squad reached the spot and managed to separate the two bogies from rest of the train.

By morning, heavy flames started coming out from the two parcel carriages. The train had halted in a secluded place with a lot of vegetation and it became difficult for the fire brigade to reach the spot. Somehow six fire tenders, including those from Army and BHEL, reached there. The flames could be controlled after six hours.

Railway spokesman Ravi Prakash said that the reason of the fire and the estimated loss are being investigated.

In the meantime, over one dozen trains got affected and two passenger trains had to be cancelled. Andaman Express moved after seven hours of delay. Around 1,500 passengers got their tickets and reservations cancelled.