20140402 India Fire in Mumbai’s suburban train disrupts peak hour services
India Apr 02 2014 “Automobile & Railway”
Dead : dead 0 or unknown Burnout : 30 to 69 Injured : injured 0 or unknown
Fire in Mumbai’s suburban train disrupts peak hour services
Updated: 2014-04-03-18:33
Due to the incident evening peak hour services were affected, resulting in overcrowding on platforms.
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MUMBAI: Suburban commuters had a miraculous escape after fire erupted in the motor coach of a CST-bound fast train at Dadar station on Thursday evening.
There was absolute panic at the station as passengers jumped on the platform as soon as the smoke began to emanate from the motor coach, which is second from guards cabin. Four fire tenders rushed to the station to control the fire.
Due to the incident evening peak hour services were affected, resulting in overcrowding on platforms.
A Railway Protection Force (RPF) official said, “As soon as the smoke emanated, one of our officers alerted the commuters to empty the train. It was emptied in five minutes, while some of our personnel began to douse the fire with extinguishers”.
The train, whose arrival time at Dadar is at 5.26 pm, had developed problem before it reached Dadar. However, the technical staff attended to the problem at Kalyan but the defunct motor coach could not take the load, thus resulting in fire.
Commuters said that the rear end of platform No.6 and adjoining platforms for long distances trains were engulfed with smoke. Avinash Mhatre, a commuter said, “There was total confusion and panic with people began to run towards exit. However, the fire was brought under control soon.”
A Fire Brigade official said, “It took almost 30 to 40 minutes to douse the fire.”
The CST-bound fast track between Sion and Parel was closed for traffic as the affected train could not be moved to yards.
Atleast four train following this train were held up between Sion and Dadar. Commuters, traveling in these trains jumped on the track near Matunga to reach the nearest station.
The incident had a cascading effect on Kalyan-bound services as Up direction trains were cancelled or delayed due to blockage of path.
Websource：The times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Fire-in-Mumbais-suburban-train-disrupts-peak-hour-services/articleshow/33186359.cms