Panic spread among passengers aboard the Karmabhoomi Express on Friday after a fire broke out in four coaches of the train near Sarai Banjara railway station in Punjab’s Patiala district. Thick clouds of smoke rose above the railway track as passengers rushed out of the affected compartments to escape the flames.
The train, numbered 12508, was travelling from Amritsar to New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal when the incident occurred near Rajpura. According to initial reports, the fire first broke out in a general coach and subsequently spread to adjoining compartments. Three coaches were reported to have caught fire, while a fourth was also affected.
The incident triggered an emergency response from railway authorities, local administration, police and fire brigade personnel. Passengers were evacuated, and the train was brought to a halt after its safety system was activated. No casualties or injuries had been reported in the initial official updates.
Fire Breaks Out Near Sarai Banjara
The incident was reported on Friday afternoon, shortly after the train departed from Sadhugarh railway station in Fatehgarh Sahib district. Railway-related reports placed the fire at around 1 pm, near Sarai Banjara, in the Rajpura area.
According to railway officials, the blaze was first noticed in the fifth coach from the engine. The fire spread to nearby compartments, filling the area with thick smoke and creating panic among passengers.
Videos shared from the location showed smoke rising from the affected coaches, with flames visible as emergency teams reached the spot. Passengers could be seen standing outside the train after getting off the affected compartments.
The train was stopped near the affected section to prevent further danger. The activation of the safety system helped bring the train to a halt, allowing passengers to move away from the burning coaches.
Passengers Evacuated, No Casualties Reported
Passenger safety became the immediate priority after the fire was detected. Railway personnel and local emergency teams assisted in evacuating people from the affected coaches.
Northern Railway officials said the train had stopped safely after its safety system was triggered near Sarai Banjara. The fire was being brought under control, and senior officials reached the location to supervise the response.
Ambala Divisional Railway Manager Vinod Kumar Bhatia also reached the site. Officials said that no deaths or injuries had been reported in the initial assessment.
The absence of reported casualties provided some relief amid the frightening scenes. However, the incident raised questions about how the fire started and how quickly it spread across multiple coaches.
Short Circuit Suspected, Official Cause Awaited
A short circuit was suspected as a possible cause of the fire, according to preliminary reports. However, railway authorities had not officially confirmed the reason.
Officials said the circumstances surrounding the incident would be examined as part of an investigation. The inquiry is expected to look into the coach where the fire originated, the electrical systems and equipment, and the sequence in which the flames spread.
The Railways also ordered a high-level inquiry to establish the cause and assess the damage. Until the investigation is completed, the suspected short circuit should not be treated as a confirmed explanation.
The extent of damage to the affected coaches is also being assessed. Reports indicated that three coaches had caught fire, while a fourth was slightly affected.
Alternative Train Arrangements for Stranded Passengers
The fire disrupted the journey of passengers travelling towards New Jalpaiguri and other destinations in eastern India. Since the affected train could not continue its scheduled journey normally, railway authorities began arranging alternative transportation.
According to Ambala railway officials, passengers were asked to move to a nearby railway station, approximately 500 metres away. An alternative train was arranged to help them continue their journey.
A medical relief train carrying Accident Relief Medical Equipment was also dispatched from Ambala at around 1:20 pm to support the emergency response.
Senior railway officials remained involved in managing the situation and coordinating assistance for passengers. The arrangements were aimed at ensuring that people stranded by the incident could reach their destinations safely.
Railway Safety Under Focus
The fire has once again drawn attention to passenger safety and emergency preparedness on India’s railway network. Fires involving multiple coaches can spread rapidly, particularly when trains are crowded and passengers are unfamiliar with emergency procedures.
In this case, the activation of the safety system and the evacuation of passengers helped prevent reported casualties. However, the incident also highlights the importance of timely fire detection, functioning alarm systems, electrical maintenance and the availability of emergency equipment.
The investigation will be important in determining whether the fire resulted from an electrical fault, equipment failure or another cause. It will also help establish whether existing safety arrangements functioned as intended.
For passengers, the immediate concern was getting out of the affected coaches and continuing their journeys. For the Railways, the next steps involve completing the inquiry, assessing the damage and identifying any measures needed to prevent similar incidents.
As of Friday’s initial updates, the fire had been brought under control and no casualties had been reported. Further details about the cause of the blaze and the condition of the affected coaches are awaited.
