FIRE in Express train

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ERODE, June 29, 2012

Blaze in Chennai-Alapuzha Express

S. RAMESH

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TIMELY SHOT:The luggage-cum-second class compartment of the Chennai-Alapuzha Express in flames at Perundurai in Erode in the early hours of Thursday. Alapuzha-bound passenger Babu captured it on his camera.(Another report and photos on Page 4)

A major fire broke out in the luggage-cum-second class coach of the Chennai-Alapuzha Express (16041) at Perundurai in the early hours of Thursday morning, destroying a part of the coach. No passenger was injured.

The Station Master at Thottipalayam Railway Station noticed smoke billowing from the luggage coach at the rear of the train when it passed the station around 4 a.m. He alerted the guard D. Thomas who immediately informed the loco pilots to stop the train at Perundurai Railway Station and asked the railway officials to alert fire and rescue services personnel.

By the time the train reached the Perundurai station, the entire luggage section in that coach was gutted. Mr. Thomas and Assistant Sub-Inspector of Railway Protection Force K. Kasilingam helped passengers out of the coaches for the differently abled and women.

Before fire fighters from Perundurai fire station arrived at the spot, the flames spread to the compartment for the differently abled persons. Five fire engines from Perundurai, Erode, Bhavani and Modakurichi were pressed into service. They managed to put out the flames after struggling for about an hour. Most of the goods kept in the luggage area were destroyed.

Duronto delayed

The Chennai-bound Duronto Express was delayed for about 30 minutes at Erode railway station on Thursday as smoke emerged from one of the coaches due to short circuit. Passengers in the coach noticed the smoke and alerted the railway officials. A team of workers rushed to the coach and attended to the fault. The train, which arrived at the station at 11.20 a.m., left to Chennai around 12 noon.