20221108 Explosion in camera battery may have caused train fire at Nashik
India Nov 08 2022 “Automobile & Railway”
Dead : dead 0 or unknown Burnout : 0 or unknown Injured : injured 0 or unknown
Explosion in camera battery may have caused train fire at Nashik
Updated: 2022-11-08
MUMBAI: A preliminary inquiry has revealed that the probable cause of fire in the Shalimar Express parcel van was a defective camera battery that exploded and came in contact with inflammable goods material being ferried to Mumbai over the weekend.The fire in the luggage van positioned just behind the engine was detected this past Saturday when the train was entering platform three of the Nashik Road station around 8.40am. The van carried roughly 23 tonnes of luggage.
The parcel van had five consignments, including electronic gadgets, nail polish, rexine, bidi and cloth.
A senior railway official said, “Nail polish and rexine are highly inflammable and hence the fire erupted.”
CR officials have ordered random checks of parcels in parcel vans be undertaken en route a journey.
The day was saved by assistant loco pilot (ALP) Niraj Kumar. An official said, “We are going to recommend his name for a reward for doing his duty professionally and handling the situation.”
It is an ALP’s duty to inspect the locomotive wherever the train halts. The official said, “The ALP, while inspecting the locomotive, observed smoke emanating from the parcel van. He immediately alerted station authorities who first changed the signal aspect from green to red. Thereafter, the engine was detached from the parcel van to safety. The parcel van too was detached from the passenger coaches to ensure the fire does not engulf them.” The ALP also immediately got hold of fire extinguishers placed inside the locomotive and got into the act of dousing the blaze.
Nashik Road station has 23 fire extinguishers.
CR’s chief public relations officer Shivaji Sutar said, “A committee of top officials has been formed which will determine the exact cause of fire.”
Web Source: The Times of India