Daijiworld Media Network - Thrissur

Thrissur, Jan 4: More than 500 two-wheelers parked at the bike parking area near the platform 2 entrance of Thrissur Railway Station were gutted in a major fire that broke out early on Sunday morning.

The blaze was reported around 6.30 am and was first noticed by a woman staff member of the parking management, who immediately alerted others. By the time fire and rescue personnel from the Thrissur station reached the spot, the flames had spread rapidly as the vehicles were parked in closely packed rows.

According to Mallika, a staff member at the parking area, the fire may have started after a spark fell from an electric cable onto a parked bike covered with a polythene sheet. She said the bike caught fire instantly and the flames intensified after the fuel tank burst, prompting her to raise an alarm.

A group of youngsters who rushed to the spot attempted to control the fire using a fire extinguisher, but their efforts failed due to the close proximity of the parked bikes. Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control within half an hour, preventing it from spreading to the main railway station premises and averting a major tragedy.

Revenue Minister K Rajan visited the site and sought a detailed report on the incident. Train services were not affected and no casualties were reported, though officials said the number of two-wheelers destroyed is expected to exceed 500.