Fire Breaks Out in Karmabhoomi Express Near Rajpura, Passengers Evacuated Safely

A major scare unfolded near Rajpura in Punjab’s Patiala district on Friday after a fire broke out in several coaches of the Karmabhoomi Express. The incident triggered panic among passengers as flames and thick smoke were seen coming from the train. Railway staff and emergency teams immediately launched rescue operations and evacuated passengers from the affected coaches.

The incident took place near Sarai Banjara village on the Rajpura-Sirhind railway section. The train was travelling between Amritsar and New Jalpaiguri when the fire was reported. According to railway information, four general coaches were affected by the blaze.

Fire Spreads Across Multiple Coaches

The fire reportedly started in the pantry area before spreading to adjoining coaches. Thick smoke and flames alerted passengers and railway personnel, creating panic inside the train.

As soon as the situation was noticed, railway staff stopped the train and initiated an evacuation process. Passengers were asked to leave the affected coaches immediately. Several people rushed out carrying their belongings, while others moved away from the train to reach a safe location.

The prompt response by railway personnel helped prevent a potentially serious tragedy. Officials said no casualties or injuries had been reported at the time of the initial assessment.

Fire Brigade and Police Teams Reach the Spot

After receiving information about the incident, railway authorities, police personnel and fire brigade teams rushed to the location. They began efforts to control the fire and manage the situation.

The district administration also activated its emergency response mechanism. Patiala Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Aggarwal said the initial information indicated that the fire had started in the pantry and subsequently spread to nearby coaches.

A medical relief train carrying Accident Relief Medical Equipment was dispatched from Ambala at around 1:20 pm to support emergency operations. Ambala Divisional Railway Manager Vinod Kumar Bhatia also reached the spot to supervise the response.

Railway Authorities Order Investigation

The exact cause of the fire has not yet been established. Railway officials are examining the circumstances that led to the incident, including the possibility of the fire originating in the pantry section.

The Railways has ordered a high-level inquiry to determine the cause and assess the extent of damage. Officials are expected to examine the affected coaches and gather information from railway staff and passengers.

The incident has once again brought attention to fire safety arrangements and emergency preparedness on passenger trains. The timely alert and evacuation were crucial in preventing loss of life.

Passengers Escape Major Tragedy

The incident caused considerable panic among passengers travelling on the busy route. However, the evacuation operation helped move people away from the burning coaches.

With railway officials and emergency teams responding quickly, a major tragedy was avoided. Further details regarding the damage and the findings of the investigation are awaited.

The incident has raised questions about the circumstances behind the fire, while passengers and their families await complete information from the railway authorities.