Major Train Accident Averted in Simri Bakhtiyarpur: Fierce Fire Breaks Out in Motor Coach of Samastipur-Saharsa MEMU Train; Stampede Among Passengers Asleep in Deep Sleep — Detailed Report
A heart-wrenching incident unfolded near the Simri Bakhtiyarpur railway station in Bihar, where a fierce fire suddenly broke out in the motor coach of the Samastipur-Saharsa MEMU Train heading from Samastipur toward Saharsa. This incident occurred in the early morning hours when most passengers were fast asleep in deep slumber. Seeing the sudden burst of flames and billows of smoke, massive chaos erupted inside the train, and passengers began running helter-skelter to save their lives. The saving grace was that no casualties were reported in this horrific mishap; however, it took a grueling two and a half hours to completely bring the fire under control, bringing train traffic on this busy rail section to a complete standstill.
Passengers Asleep in Deep Sleep in the Early Morning, Sudden Panic Spreads
Describing the timing of the incident, eyewitnesses and passengers recounted that because it was early morning, the majority of people on board the train were resting in deep sleep.
Sudden Outbreak of Flames: As the train was passing near the Simri Bakhtiyarpur area, flames suddenly erupted from the motor coach accompanied by a loud, explosion-like sound.
Waking Up to Absolute Horror: Before passengers could comprehend what was happening, the entire coach was choked with black smoke. Pandemonium broke out among passengers suddenly awakened from deep sleep. People rushed toward emergency windows and doors to save their lives, creating a stampede-like situation inside the train.
Passengers' Presence of Mind and Chain Pulling
Amidst this hour of crisis, a few alert passengers displayed exceptional presence of mind, averting what could have been a massive tragedy.
Emergency Chain Pulling: Realizing the smoke and fire, passengers immediately pulled the emergency chain, causing the moving train to slow down and come to a halt.
Safe Evacuation: As soon as the train stopped, people began quickly disembarking, risking their lives. Local villagers and nearby residents also displayed promptness by helping the passengers and moving them to a safe distance.
A Two-and-a-Half-Hour Struggle: The Ordeal to Control the Fire
The intensity of the fire was so severe that bringing it under control at the local level was no easy task.
Fire Brigade and Railway Force: Upon receiving information about the incident, railway technical officers, RPF (Railway Protection Force), GRP (Government Railway Police), and fire brigade vehicles rushed to the spot immediately.
Two-and-a-Half Hours of Hard Labor: The fire originated in the electrical and mechanical parts of the motor coach, giving fire personnel a hard time putting it out. Continuous spraying of water and foam finally brought the fire completely under control after nearly two and a half hours of intense effort, bringing a collective sigh of relief.
Technical Malfunction and Short Circuit as the Cause
Preliminary technical investigations revealed that this terrifying fire was caused by a short circuit in the motor coach of the MEMU train.
Important Technical Aspect: "The motor coaches of MEMU and EMU trains house heavy transformers and electrical circuits, and without timely and proper maintenance, even a minor spark can take a monstrous shape."
Senior railway officials inspected the site, detached the damaged coach, and initiated an investigation.
Train Halts: Due to firefighting relief operations and safety inspections, several important trains on this route were halted at various stations, subjecting passengers to intense heat and hardship.
Route Restoration: After ensuring the safety of the tracks and signaling systems, traffic on this rail section was restored after a delay of several hours.
This incident in Simri Bakhtiyarpur serves as a major wake-up call for the railway administration. Fortunately, passengers showed alertness in time, resulting in zero loss of life. The Railway Board has ordered a high-level inquiry into the entire matter to ensure that such dangerous incidents do not recur in the future.
