Several wagons of goods train catch fire in Odisha, no casualties reported

Firefighters successfully brought under control a fire that broke out on a goods train in Odisha’s Koraput district on Wednesday evening.

As per reports, a fire broke out in several wagons of a goods train along the Kothavalasa–Kirandul (KK) railway line on Wednesday while it was travelling from Chattisgarh’s Kirandul to Visakhapatnam.

The incident occurred near Machhkunda station in Odisha's Koraput district right before the train’s arrival. Upon receiving information about the fire, the train was immediately halted and the fire department was informed, sources said.

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The Nandapur fire brigade reportedly rushed to the spot and brought the flames under control, averting any major catastrophe.

According to sources, the goods train, from Bacheli station in Chhatisgarh to Visakhapatnam, was carrying iron ore. After passing Koraput station, fire was reported from the undercarriages of several wagons. Reportedly, various oil-based lubricants stored in the area had burst up in flames owing to friction.

An update released by the railways today stated that the fire was caused by a hot axle in one of the wagons of the goods train. Subsequently, the affected wagon was detached and the fire was brought under control.

Despite the fire, no damage or casualties were reported in the incident and railways confirmed that no major disruptions or train diversions took place due to the mishap.

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Reports of this fire come about one month after a train caught fire in Tamil Nadu. The incident near Chennai on October 12 happened when the Mysuru-Darbhanga Bhagmati Express train rammed a stationary goods train from behind, causing the derailment of several of its coaches that subsequently caught fire.