Indore-Ratlam train catches fire

A major tragedy was averted when alert passengers pulled the emergency chain and jumped out of the Indore-Ratlam passenger train which caught fire near Palia railway station in the wee hours on Wednesday, railway official said.

There was no casualty as passengers managed to rush out of the general coach after pulling the emergency chain, G S Nayar, senior Divisional Commercial Manager (DCM), Ratlam zone of Western Railway, said.

The traffic on the Akola-Ratlam was disrupted for a couple of hours in the morning, he said, adding that it was restored later on.

As the train left Palia station around 0430 hrs towards Ajnod station, the fire broke out in coach no. 88793. The passengers immediately pulled the emergency chain and jumped out, many without their luggage which was gutted in the blaze, Nayar said.

A team of railway officers led by chief safety officer (CSO) has left for the site to probe the incident, Nayar said.

Over 100 passengers were on board the coach when the fire engulfed it. As the train was running very slow since it had just departed from Palia, the passengers could stopped the train, he said.

The coupling of the burning coach was disconnected from both sides to prevent spread of fire to other coaches. Fire tenders from the district administration and GRP were rushed to the spot and they managed to control the blaze, Nayar added.