Visakhapatnam: In a shocking incident, three air-conditioned coaches of the Korba-Visakhapatnam Express (18517) were severely damaged in a fire at Visakhapatnam Railway Station early Sunday morning. Thankfully, no casualties were reported as the train was empty at the time of the incident.
🚨 #BREAKINGNEWS 🚨
— In Bulletin (@inbulletinnews) August 4, 2024
Fire Breaks Out in Korba-Visakhapatnam Express at Vizag Station! Three(B7, B6 M1) AC coaches damaged but no casualties reported. Rapid action by #RPF and fire services controlled fire. Investigation underway. #Visakhapatnam #IndianRailways pic.twitter.com/xz4GLaYwWY
Incident Details
The Korba-Visakhapatnam Express arrived from Chhattisgarh's Korba at platform number four around 6:30 a.m. and was scheduled for maintenance before its next journey to Tirupati. At approximately 9:20 a.m., Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel noticed smoke emanating from the B7 coach and immediately alerted authorities and fire services.
Fire Containment Efforts
Firefighters responded swiftly, but the fire had already spread from the B7 coach to the adjoining B6 and M1 coaches. Despite their efforts, the B7 coach was completely damaged while the B6 and M1 coaches sustained partial damage. Four fire engines were deployed to control the flames, which were finally brought under control by 11:10 a.m.
Visakhapatnam Police Commissioner 'Shankabratha Bagchi' noted that the fire was challenging to extinguish due to the combustible materials in the coaches. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire, with initial reports suggesting a possible short circuit in the B7 coach's toilet.
Response from Officials
Andhra Pradesh Home Minister 'Vangalapudi Anita' contacted the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) to inquire about the incident. DRM Saurabh Prasad assured that the situation was handled efficiently, with the affected coaches detached and removed from the platform to prevent further damage.
Safety Measures and Future Operations
The incident occurred during a peak period at the station, between 5 a.m. and 9:20 a.m., when multiple trains were scheduled. Despite the setback, railway officials confirmed that the Visakhapatnam-Kadapa Tirumala Express, which was to use the same rake, would depart as scheduled at 2 p.m., with the damaged coach replaced.
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Visuals and Public Reaction
Images and videos of the incident show thick smoke billowing from the burning coaches, with RPF personnel and other passengers assisting in controlling the fire. The timely response from railway and fire services personnel averted a major disaster, ensuring passenger safety.
Andhra Pradesh: A massive fire breaks out at Visakhapatnam railway station this afternoon involving a train from Korba to Tirumala. The M1, B7, and B6 AC bogies were engulfed in flames. Railway firemen are working to control the blaze, and no casualties have been reported so far.… pic.twitter.com/OQTeAupmnK
— IANS (@ians_india) August 4, 2024
This incident highlights the importance of stringent safety protocols and rapid response mechanisms in railway operations. The ongoing investigation will provide more insights into the causes and preventive measures to avoid such occurrences in the future.
Stay tuned with "In Bulletin" for more updates on this developing news.
