newspop
New Delhi : Panic erupted aboard the Amritsar–New Jalpaiguri Karmabhumi Express (Train No. 12508) after a massive fire swept through four coaches near Sarai Banjara railway station in Punjab’s Patiala district.
The blaze reportedly broke out while the train was running, with thick clouds of smoke emerging from one of the coaches before rapidly spreading to three adjoining compartments. As smoke filled the coaches and flames intensified, frightened passengers rushed to evacuate, triggering scenes of chaos and urgency.
A major tragedy was averted after the train’s safety mechanisms were activated, bringing the express to an emergency halt near Sarai Banjara under the Ambala railway division. Passengers were subsequently evacuated from the affected coaches and moved to safety along the railway tracks.
Railway Officials Confirm Incident
Northern Railway Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay confirmed that alerts were issued immediately after the fire was detected.
He said the train’s safety system functioned promptly, allowing it to stop in time while emergency teams worked to bring the flames under control. Senior railway officials also rushed to the site to supervise rescue and firefighting operations.
Firefighting Operations Underway
Fire tenders and Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel were deployed to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading further.
Railway authorities have reported no casualties or injuries in the initial assessment, bringing considerable relief to passengers and their families.
Although the exact cause of the fire is yet to be established, preliminary reports point towards a possible electrical short circuit. A detailed investigation is expected to determine how the fire originated and spread across four coaches.
Meanwhile, railway authorities are working on alternative arrangements to help affected passengers continue their onward journey.
The swift activation of safety systems and timely evacuation helped prevent what could have turned into a devastating railway disaster.
