Train fire: Probe unable to trace cause

A statutory probe into the May 15 Ludhiana train fire that claimed 38 lives has not been able to trace its cause pending a report of the Forensic Science Laboratory, Chandigarh. When questioned, the Railway Minister Nitish Kumar played down the report as just 'a preliminary one'.

A statutory probe into the Frontier Mail fire near Ludhiana last month that claimed 38 lives has not been able to trace its cause pending a report of the Forensic Science Laboratory, Chandigarh.

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The fire started from S-4 coach, according to the Commissioner of Railway Safety, North Eastern Circle, Bhupender Singh, who held the probe.

An official release said Singh, who held a statutory enquiry into the unusual occurrence of fire in three coaches of 2903 Up Golden Temple Mail at about 3:55 am on May 15 between Ludhiana and Lodowal railway stations, has not been able to come to any conclusion as to how the fire started till such time the report of the State Forensic Science Laboratory, Chandigarh, is received by him.

The enquiry was held at Ludhiana from May 18 to 21 and thereafter here from May 24 to 27.