PANIC PREVAILED at platform number six of the Gorakhpur railway station when a fire broke out in the air-conditioned coaches of the Awadh Express here on Tuesday.
As the fire broke out, the panic-stricken passengers alighted from the train. Senior railway officials and fire brigade employees rushed to the spot and doused the fire swiftly. However, the cause of the fire was not known till filing of the report.
While the fire tenders took 50 minutes to douse the flames, no one one was injured in the incident. The incident took place around 4 pm.
The eyewitness said that smoke was emanating from various compartments. As a result, the alarm bell was rung and the railway authorities were informed about it.
According to sources, the incident might have taken place due to short circuit as the bedroll and bed sheets, kept in the AC-I compartment near the AC plant, were burning.
The people in the compartment, after breaking the windows, alighted from the train. The railway officials decided to set up in inquiry into the incident. They said that all the compartments were locked, and the train was about to leave for the yard when the smoke started emanating from from the AC compartment.
The railway authorities said that immediate reason of the fire could not be ascertained. The railway officials spotted the fire the reported the matter to the higher authorities.
{{/usCountry}}The railway authorities said that immediate reason of the fire could not be ascertained. The railway officials spotted the fire the reported the matter to the higher authorities.
{{/usCountry}}Sources claimed that proper worth of Rs 50,000 was reduced to ashes, and it was the chance that the people, on finding the dense smoke, alighted from the train otherwise there would have been a major tragedy.