Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 23: Passenger of Jammu Mail, coming from Udhampur, had a narrow escape when one of its coaches caught fire due to jamming of some wheels of the train.
Displaying courage, the driver kept the burning train moving for around three kilometers till Manwal Railway Station where the rescue operation was launched by General Railway Police and Fire Brigade, who controlled the flames.
The fire was noticed near Tunnel number 14, 15 when the train was around three kilometers away from Manwal. The incident took place around 3.25 pm and led to suspension of train traffic on the track for around an hour.
According to Police, soon after the Delhi bound Jammu Mail left Udhampur station, some passengers noticed smoke coming out from a Parcel bogey near engine. As the smoke and flames started amplifying, the panicked passengers pulled chain signaling halt for the train. However, instead of halting the burning train at isolated place, where no arrangements were available for dousing the fire, driver kept the train moving with speed up to Manwal Station.
Meanwhile, the General Railway Police and Fire Brigade had been put on alert at the Manwal Station where the fire was controlled in a well managed operation by SHO GRP Manwal, Hasan Kamal and others. There was no loss of life or injury to any passenger in the fire incident, which occurred due to friction caused by jamming of some wheels of the train.
After separating the burnt coach with the help of technical staff, the train was allowed to proceed further for its destination. The incident caused suspension of traffic on the track for more than half an hour resulting into delay in departure as well as arrival of other trains at Udhampur Station.
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