New Delhi/Patna: In a harrowing incident, a massive fire erupted in a clone special train traveling from Delhi to Bihar on Wednesday evening, with the flames completely consuming the S1 coach. The distressing event occurred as the train, numbered 02570, passed through Sarai Bhopat railway station in Uttar Pradesh.
The intensity of the fire was exacerbated by the fact that the coach was carrying more passengers than its designated capacity. Quick thinking and bravery came to the forefront as passengers, faced with the looming threat, resorted to jumping out of windows to ensure their safety. Miraculously, no casualties have been reported, but the fire resulted in the unfortunate loss of luggage for many passengers within the affected bogie.
#WATCH | While train number 02570 Darbhanga Clone Special was passing through Sarai Bhopat Railway station in Uttar Pradesh, the station master immediately stopped the train after seeing smoke in the S1 coach. All passengers were disembarked safely. There are no injuries or… pic.twitter.com/U6LfewBsrx
— ANI (@ANI) November 15, 2023
The impact of the incident reverberated across the rail network, leading to the closure of the Overhead Equipment (OHE) on the Howrah-Delhi route. As a consequence, the operation of trains on this route has been temporarily halted, affecting a total of 16 trains. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by railway authorities.
According to the ANI, eyewitnesses to the traumatic event recounted their experiences, with one stating, “On fire breaks out in New Delhi- Darbhanga superfast Express Train near Sarai Bhopat Railway station, a passenger says, “I was going to Chhapra. All of a sudden some smoke rose. It felt as if I’d die. There was too much crowd. I jumped out of the window and my luggage caught fire…There were too many people,”
#WATCH | On fire breaks out in New Delhi- Darbhanga superfast Express Train near Sarai Bhopat Railway station, a passenger says, "I was going to Chhapra. All of a sudden some smoke rose. It felt as if I'd die. There was too much crowd. I jumped out of the window and my luggage… pic.twitter.com/3cgmUouu7n
— ANI (@ANI) November 15, 2023
The special train, following its route from New Delhi, makes stops at key stations in Bihar, including Chhapra, Kanpur, Gorakhpur, and others. The incident highlights the unpredictability of such emergencies during train journeys, underscoring the importance of swift action and passenger safety protocols.
As the investigation into the cause of the fire unfolds, travelers are reminded of the need for vigilance and adherence to safety measures during train travel. The scheduled time for the train to reach Darbhanga after its journey through Muzaffarpur and Samastipur is 10 am.