2 bogies of goods train catch fire in Odisha’s Balasore

A fire broke out in two carriages of a freight train loaded with coal near Soro in Balasore district on Wednesday morning. The train was travelling from Dhamra of Odisha to Kharagpur of neighbouring West Bengal when it encountered the blaze in its guard compartment, close to Sabira railway station.

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“A fire erupted in two wagons of a coal-laden train near Soro in Balasore district early this morning. The inferno occurred near Sabira railway station as the train, loaded with coal from Dhamra and en route to Kharagpur, was passing through,” an eyewitness said.

The station master at Soro was promptly informed, and he took immediate measures.

Upon receiving the information, the station master stopped the train at Soro railway station and contacted the fire services department. Local firefighters arrived quickly with two fire engines and managed to douse the flames. After the successful extinguishment, the train resumed its journey as planned.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. Authorities are monitoring the situation to ensure safety and prevent similar incidents in the future.

No comments were received from the railway authorities in this regard.

Emergency response

The Soro fire department contained the Balasore blaze within 40 minutes using foam tenders. Odisha’s disaster management protocols – honed through cyclone responses – enabled rapid coordination between railways and local authorities.

Infrastructure challenges

While quick containment averted casualties, the incident exposed vulnerabilities in wagon maintenance and coal storage protocols. Railway officials noted aging brake systems and inadequate ventilation in some coal carriers.

Recent train fire incident

On April 12, a Visakhapatnam-Kharagpur train’s wagon caught fire at Balugaon railway station in Khurda district, attributed to coal friction under intense sunlight.

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Recurring train fire risks

The fire involves coal-laden wagons, highlighting persistent combustion risks in mineral transport. The Khurda incident’s suspected coal auto-ignition (exacerbated by 40°C temperatures) mirrors global challenges in bulk cargo safety.