Fire breaks out in Korba-Visakhapatnam Express in Visakhapatnam

A major fire broke in the AC coaches of Korba-Visakhapatnam Express at platform number 4 of Visakhapatnam railway station in Andhra Pradesh on Sunday.

According to sources, the train reached Visakhapatnam railway station at around 7.30 am and was scheduled to depart for Tirupati at 2 pm.

While the train had halted at platform number 4, the fire broke out in one of its AC coaches at around 10 am. Subsequently, the fire spread to the B6, B7 and M1 coaches of the express, sources said adding that the three coaches were completely destroyed in the blaze.

Fortunately, no loss of life or injuries has been reported in the mishap, sources informed.

On being informed about the incident, four teams of Fire Services personnel and railway police rushed to the spot and brought the flames under control. 

Meanwhile, an investigation has been launched to ascertain the cause of the fire mishap. 

Following the mishap, train services on the route have been partially affected. 

Saurabh Prasad, Waltair Division DRM said, "This empty rake had to go to the coaching depot for maintenance. It was tabled on the platform here and at 9:20 am the RPF staff, who had been patrolling the platforms, noticed a bit of smoke. He immediately alerted the fire brigade and also the staff available at the station. 
“They also came in as reinforcements to douse the fire. The fire has been doused at 11:10 am. Leaving aside the two adjacent coaches as per protocol, the rest rakes were immediately evacuated to the coaching depot. Once we got clearance from the AP fire department, the adjacent coaches of this particular B7 coach were also evacuated and taken to the coaching depot. We will be conducting a detailed investigation and inquiry into this as to what happened in B7 coach which led to this,” Prasad added.

"At 7:30 am four bogies of the Tirumala Express which were stationary in the Vizag railway station caught fire. Fortunately, at that point of time, there was no passenger inside those bogies. So there was no loss of life and no injury was caused to anyone,“ Vishakhapatnam CP Shanka Brata Bagchi told ANI.

“The local fire services authorities immediately responded. We are registering FIR. Forensic experts have been called to identify the reason behind the fire, whether it is a short circuit or any other reason. Only after collecting forensic evidence from the scene and examining the forensic evidence they will be able to give an opinion as to the real reason behind the accident," Bagchi added.