Fire engulfs sleeper coaches of Clone Humsafar Express in Etawah; 8 injured
The fire was first noticed around 6 pm, emanating from the S1 coach. The flames quickly spread to the adjacent S2 and S3 coaches, as well as the SLR coach.
KANPUR A major fire broke out in a sleeper coach of the Clone Humsafar Express during its journey from New Delhi to Darbhanga, near Sarai Bhupat railway station in Etawah, on Wednesday evening. The blaze, which rapidly spread, resulted in the complete destruction of S1, S2, and S3 coaches and partial damage to the luggage coach. While eight passengers suffered injuries, fortunately, no casualties were reported.
The train was operating beyond its capacity due to the Chath festival rush. The fire was noticed while the train was in motion, fortunately at a slow speed; otherwise, the high speed could have significantly contributed to the fire’s severity, said railway officials.
Himanshu Upadhyaya, the spokesperson for North Central Railways, commended the swift response of local railway staff, expressing appreciation for their alertness that prevented a major catastrophe. “The fire has been extinguished, and the train is set to resume its journey with additional coaches in Kanpur,” he added.
According to Etawah police, rail traffic on the Kanpur-Delhi route resumed at 8:28 pm. Nearly 16 trains, which were halted due to this incident, were allowed to pass in both up and down routes. The OHE line that had been shut down has also been restored.
The fire was first noticed around 6 pm, emanating from the S1 coach. The flames quickly spread to the adjacent S2 and S3 coaches, as well as the SLR coach. Thereafter, the train was promptly halted by the pilot upon receiving the alert, preventing the fire from engulfing other coaches.
As the intensity of the fire grew, passengers evacuated the affected coaches, resulting in a chaotic scene. Of the eight injured passengers, four sustained serious burns, with a 12-year-old boy named Raunak Raj among them. The injured were swiftly transported to the district hospital, where medical personnel are providing necessary care.
A couple traveling in the S1 coach lost everything to the fire. “How are we going to celebrate Chath when all our belongings and money are burnt?” they said, adding that the coach was packed, and the fire, which erupted with a loud sound, caused total chaos. “We jumped from the train even as it was moving,” they told local reporters.
The fire was brought under control after a two-hour-long effort by firefighters, who remained vigilant to prevent any potential re-ignition. Reassuring the public, SP Verma said, “While there has been significant damage, fortunately, all passengers have been accounted for, and there have been no reported fatalities.”
Meanwhile, Sanjay Verma, SSP Etawah, reassured the public, saying, “While there has been significant damage, fortunately, all passengers have been accounted for, and there have been no reported fatalities.”
He added, “Prima facie, it appears an electrical short circuit can be behind the fire; what really caused this fire will be determined through a thorough investigation.” The train did not have any pantry car attached, which minimizes the chances of any other factor. An official said passengers have different versions, and the investigation is looking into it.
The individuals injured in the accident have been identified as Daya Nand Mandal, Raunak Raj, Manoj Chopal, Harendra Yadav, Tillu Mukhiya, Kanchan Devi, Sunita Devi, and Aakriti.
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