Train Engine Catches Fire In Maharashtra, No Casualties Reported
The engine of the Mumbai Central-Valsad passenger train caught fire during the journey at Kelve Road station in Palghar district of Maharashtra on Wednesday evening, a Western Railway (WR) official said.
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Officials confirm all passengers are safe following the incident. (Representational)
Mumbai:
A fire broke out in the engine of the Mumbai Central-Valsad passenger train at Kelve Road station in Maharashtra's Palghar district on Wednesday evening, according to a Western Railway (WR) official.
No casualties were reported in the incident, the official confirmed.
The fire was detected at approximately 7:56 pm when the train reached Kelve Road station, as per preliminary reports.
A Western Railway spokesperson described the incident as "flash and flames in the electric loco" of train number 59023 Mumbai Central-Valsad fast passenger train.
"All passengers are safe with no injuries reported," the spokesperson stated.
Overhead electrical (OHE) power supply was temporarily cut off as a safety precaution.
Railway officials and technical personnel were dispatched to the location to evaluate the situation and conduct necessary inspections.
The train had departed from Mumbai Central Station on time at 6:10 pm. It arrived at Kelve Road station at 7:56 pm, running 17 minutes behind schedule, when the engine crew noticed flames and immediately halted the train as it was beginning to depart from the platform.
The train crew, including the loco pilot, assistant pilot, and train manager, quickly worked to extinguish the fire using onboard fire extinguishers.
A senior railway official commended the station staff for their exceptional bravery in controlling the fire.
Stationmaster Aditya Kumar and pointsmen Som Prakash and Radheshyam also participated in the firefighting efforts.
"They utilized eight fire extinguishers," said the railway official, noting that passengers waiting on the platform also assisted the railway personnel.
Local Fire Brigade teams arrived promptly and fully extinguished the blaze.
"The incident may cause delays for trains traveling toward Surat. Some trains will make stops at all stations up to Dahanu or Valsad to accommodate passengers from train 59023," Vineet Abhishek, chief spokesperson of Western Railway, informed PTI.
"At least seven Gujarat-bound trains were regulated at various stations en route," Western Railway announced on X.
Local train services on the Virar-Dahanu section were also disrupted due to the engine fire.
The Mumbai Central-Valsad fast passenger train is a popular service connecting southern Gujarat with Mumbai.
Hundreds of travelers, including office workers, businesspeople, traders, students, and others, use this train daily for the Mumbai-Valsad route.
The train's convenient schedule allows passengers to travel between Mumbai and Valsad without disrupting their daily routines.
Meanwhile, authorities arranged six ST buses for stranded passengers, while others were transferred to the Golden Temple Express, which will stop at all stations until Valsad. This train normally only stops at Surat station.
The affected train was cancelled, and another engine was attached to remove it from the station, according to the WR CPRO.
"Golden Temple Express is being rescheduled to depart from Safale station," said Vivekanand Kadam, chief of the Disaster Management Cell, Palghar.