Bihar train fire: Blaze engulfs 3 coaches at Simri Bakhtiyarpur, no casualties
Synopsis
A fire broke out on the Samastipur-Saharsa Passenger train at Simri Bakhtiyarpur station in Bihar's Saharsa district at 3:25 am on 3 August, rapidly consuming three coaches. With all passengers evacuating safely and a short circuit suspected, the Railways have launched an inquiry — but the incident again raises questions about electrical safety on India's ageing passenger fleet.
Key Takeaways
A fire broke out on the Samastipur-Saharsa Passenger train (63344) at Simri Bakhtiyarpur railway station , Saharsa district, Bihar , at around 3:25 am on 3 August .
The blaze originated near the middle engine and spread to three coaches .
All passengers reportedly evacuated safely — no casualties were reported.
Station Superintendent Sanjay Kumar Sajjan confirmed significant disruption to services, with multiple trains delayed including the Kosi Express and Shravani Special .
A short circuit is suspected as the cause; the Railways have launched a formal inquiry and are assessing coach damage.
A fire broke out on the Samastipur-Saharsa Passenger train (63344) at Platform No. 2 of Simri Bakhtiyarpur railway station in Bihar's Saharsa district at around 3:25 am on Monday, 3 August, rapidly spreading to three coaches and triggering panic among passengers and railway staff. All passengers reportedly evacuated safely, averting what could have been a serious tragedy.
How the Fire Spread
According to initial reports, the blaze originated near the train's middle engine before quickly engulfing three coaches. Thick smoke and towering flames created chaotic scenes at the station in the early morning hours.
Passenger Sanjay Kumar, a resident of Saharsa, said he first noticed intense heat coming from beneath his coach. Upon stepping down to investigate, he spotted the flames and immediately alerted fellow passengers. Another passenger, Raju Kumar, who had boarded at Mansi station bound for Simri Bakhtiyarpur, said a small fire near the engine quickly developed into a major blaze shortly after the train arrived at the platform.
Evacuation and Firefighting Response
Once station authorities ordered an evacuation, panic spread through the coaches. However, all passengers reportedly managed to exit safely before the fire intensified. Multiple fire tenders and railway officials reached the station promptly after receiving information about the incident, and firefighters launched an immediate operation that eventually brought the blaze under control.
Train Services Disrupted
Station Superintendent Sanjay Kumar Sajjan confirmed that railway services at Simri Bakhtiyarpur were significantly disrupted following the incident. Several trains were delayed, including the Kosi Express (Saharsa-Patna), Janaki Express (Manihari-Jaynagar), Saharsa-Samastipur Passenger, and the Shravani Special (Saharsa-Deoghar).
Probe Underway, Cause Not Yet Established
A short circuit is suspected to have triggered the fire, according to the Station Superintendent, though the exact cause is yet to be officially established. Railway and local administration officials supervised relief and firefighting operations at the site. The Railways have initiated a formal inquiry to determine the precise cause and are also assessing the extent of damage to the three affected coaches. This incident adds to a series of fire-related safety concerns on Indian Railways that have prompted recurring calls for improved electrical maintenance protocols on ageing rolling stock.
Point of View
Where electrical maintenance on older rolling stock remains inconsistent. The Railways' post-incident inquiry is routine, but without publicly disclosed findings and corrective timelines, such probes rarely translate into visible safety improvements. This is not an isolated event; fire incidents on Indian trains have persisted for years, and the pattern demands more than case-by-case damage assessments.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at Simri Bakhtiyarpur railway station on 3 August?
A fire broke out on the Samastipur-Saharsa Passenger train (63344) at Platform No. 2 of Simri Bakhtiyarpur railway station in Bihar's Saharsa district at around 3:25 am on 3 August. The blaze spread from near the middle engine to three coaches before firefighters brought it under control. No casualties were reported.
Were any passengers injured in the Bihar train fire?
No casualties were reported. All passengers on board reportedly managed to evacuate safely after station authorities ordered an evacuation. Passengers Sanjay Kumar and Raju Kumar were among those who raised the alarm and helped alert others.
What caused the fire on the Samastipur-Saharsa Passenger train?
A short circuit is suspected to have caused the fire, according to Station Superintendent Sanjay Kumar Sajjan. However, the exact cause has not yet been officially established, and the Railways have initiated a formal inquiry to determine it.
Which trains were delayed due to the Simri Bakhtiyarpur fire?
Several trains were delayed following the incident, including the Kosi Express (Saharsa-Patna), Janaki Express (Manihari-Jaynagar), Saharsa-Samastipur Passenger, and the Shravani Special (Saharsa-Deoghar), according to the Station Superintendent.
What action has Indian Railways taken after the train fire?
The Railways have launched a formal inquiry to determine the precise cause of the fire. Officials are also assessing the extent of damage to the three affected coaches. Railway and local administration officials were present at the site to supervise relief and firefighting operations.
