Daijiworld Media Network - Karwar(SP)

Mangaluru, May 2: Fire accident happened near the engine of Mastyagandha Express train coming to Mangaluru from Mumbai at around 2 am on Wednesday May 1. The incident happened near Kankon, Goa.

The train had reached Madgaon station at about 1.45 pm. After the train left the station and moved ahead, fire was seen around the wheels of the train. This was preceded by thick smoke that billowed out of the train. The passengers turned panicky at this development. As the track men gave emergency halt signal, the train was stopped for sometime on the tracks in between stations.

There was no equipment to put out the huge fire which was raging. There were reasons to be panicky as a huge oil tank was located near the spot where fire was witnessed.

Although the railway staff tried to extinguish this fire by using emergency equipment, they did not know how to use it. A passenger helped them to douse the flame.

The train began journey from there after about 30 minutes. After the train reached Kankon railway station, a technical team there conducted inspection and performed necessary repairs.

It may be recalled that fire was ignited in the air-conditioned compartment of Nizamuddin Express train near Kambadakone, Byndoor on Saturday last. Both the incidents have proved that the railways has not adequate measures to handle accidental fires.