Fire mishap in Matsyaganda Express train

Team Udayavani, May 2, 2019, 7:28 AM IST

Belthangady: A fire broke out near the engine of Matsyaganda Express train travelling from Mumbai to Mangaluru at 2 am in the night near Kanakoa along Goa-Karnataka border on Tuesday April 30^th.

The train reached Madgaon railway station from Mumbai at 1:45 am in the night and after departing from the station and crossing some distance, suddenly fire engulfed the wheel of the train. Before the fire, the thick smoke witnessed by the passengers only terrified them. The train came to halt in the backdrop of the trackman giving emergency stop signal.

The sudden outbreak of fire disrupted train movement for some time. Although the fire was in all its might, the lack of any firefighting equipment prevented any attempt to control the fire, thereby only further frightening the passengers. Nearby to the spot of fire lay a massive oil tank which only intensified the fear.

Dysfunctional equipment

In order to douse the fire, the railway staff came forward to use the emergency equipment. But the staff did not know how to use it. Later, the fire was doused by the presence of mind shown by a passenger.

The train continued its onward journey 30 minutes later and reached Kanakona station located 25kms away where a technical team conducted inspection and repaired the fault.

Repeating fire mishaps

A fire mishap had occurred in the AC coach of Mangala-Lakshwadeep train plying towards Kerala on Saturday. Yet, the railway department has failed to take precautionary measures regarding firefighting equipment which have crossed their expiry dates.