Coal-laden freight wagon catches fire in Jharkhand’s Chakulia

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, July 6 : A major rail mishap was narrowly averted after a wagon of a coal-laden freight train caught fire at Chakulia railway station on Monday.
The incident occurred while the goods train was stationed on Platform No. 4 with all its wagons loaded with coal. Passengers waiting at the station noticed thick smoke and flames emerging from one of the wagons and immediately alerted the station authorities.
Acting swiftly, railway officials disconnected the overhead power supply and informed the fire department. A firefighting team from Baharagora rushed to the spot with fire tenders and launched an operation to contain the blaze.
The presence of high-voltage overhead electric lines above the train initially posed a challenge to firefighters, who had to proceed with extreme caution. After ensuring safety, the team sprayed water on the affected wagon and, following sustained efforts, succeeded in extinguishing the fire before it could spread to adjoining wagons.
Railway officials said the timely detection of the fire and the prompt response by station staff and firefighters prevented what could have turned into a major accident.
The exact cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. However, preliminary indications suggest that internal heating in the coal, possibly triggered by intense heat or friction, may have caused the combustion.
Railway authorities have initiated a probe to ascertain the exact cause of the incident.