Major Fire Breaks Out on Passenger Train Near Rajpura, Punjab: Swift Evacuation Prevents Casualties

Major Fire Breaks Out on Passenger Train Near Rajpura, Punjab: Swift Evacuation Prevents Casualties

RAJPURA, PUNJAB — A serious disaster was averted near Rajpura railway station in Punjab after a passenger train caught fire, prompting an urgent emergency response. Thanks to the alert train crew, local emergency personnel, and railway staff, all passengers onboard were evacuated safely, with no casualties reported.

Incident Timeline: How the Fire Unfolded

The incident occurred while the train was traversing the rail corridor in Patiala district towards Rajpura junction.

• Smoke Detected: Passengers and on-duty railway personnel first noticed heavy smoke billowing from one of the coaches.

• Immediate Alarms: The emergency chain was pulled, bringing the train to an immediate halt clear of main line blockages where possible.

• Rapid Evacuation: Railway staff acted promptly to open emergency exits, guiding commuters onto the embankments and safe distances away from the affected carriage.

• First Responders on Scene: Fire tenders from Rajpura and nearby municipal stations rushed to the site alongside local police teams to initiate firefighting operations and cordon off the area.

Emergency Response and Firefighting Operations

Firefighters battled the blaze for over an hour before completely extinguishing the flames. High-pressure hoses were deployed to stop the fire from spreading to adjoining passenger coaches and overhead electrical equipment (OHE).

Railway technical teams isolated the affected coach, detaching it from the rest of the rake to prevent structural compromise to the remaining compartments. Medics and emergency ambulances were stationed on standby at the scene, treating a few commuters for minor smoke inhalation and minor panic-induced scratches, but confirming no severe burns or fatalities.

Impact on Rail Traffic and Alternate Arrangements

The incident caused temporary disruptions across the busy rail route connecting Punjab with northern transit hubs:

1. Short Terminations and Diverted Routes: Several passenger and express trains operating along the Ambala–Ludhiana–Rajpura stretch faced temporary halts and regulated speeds as power lines were de-energized during the firefighting effort.

2. Passenger Accommodation: Northern Railway authorities arranged special buses and alternate passenger services to transport stranded commuters safely toward their final destinations.

3. Restoration of Track: Once the fire was fully brought under control, safety engineers conducted track inspections before slowly restoring normal traffic flow along adjacent tracks.

Investigation Ordered: Probe Into Technical Faults

While the exact source of the fire remains under official review, initial preliminary assessments point toward potential technical triggers:

• Short-Circuit Suspicions: Technicians are examining electrical panels, battery boxes, and wiring harnesses for signs of an electrical short-circuit.

• Brake Binding Evaluation: Mechanical inspectors are also reviewing running gear to determine if severe brake binding caused excessive frictional heat beneath the carriage floor.

Senior railway administrative officers visited the spot and confirmed that a high-level inquiry committee has been constituted to establish the definitive cause and submit an exhaustive safety compliance report.