Could a Quick Response Prevent a Tragedy on the Amritsar-Saharsa Express Train?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Immediate action by railway staff can save lives.
- Passenger safety protocols are crucial in emergencies.
- Fire incidents on trains require quick response and coordination.
- Regular safety drills are essential for railway employees.
- Awareness among passengers can aid in swift evacuations.
Chandigarh, Oct 18 (NationPress) A significant disaster was averted thanks to the prompt actions of railway personnel when a fire erupted in one of the AC coaches of the Amritsar-Saharsa Express (train 12204) at the Sirhind station in Punjab.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported during this alarming incident.
The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation. However, following safety inspections, the train continued its journey toward Saharsa in Bihar.
Upon noticing the smoke, railway staff promptly evacuated all passengers from the affected coach and relocated them to a safer area within the train.
Emergency services were quick to extinguish the flames, effectively preventing further damage. Railway officials reported that the fire was detected at approximately 7:30 a.m.
"Immediately after the situation was identified, railway officials acted swiftly to transfer passengers to safety, and the fire was extinguished without delay. The train is set to depart for its destination soon, with no casualties reported. The incident occurred at 7:30 a.m.," stated the Railways.
Footage from the scene captured the fire extinguishing efforts during the blaze in one of the coaches.
Another clip revealed passengers standing on the railway track, with smoke visibly emanating from one of the train's coaches.
A police representative confirmed that smoke was detected in an AC coach and that all passengers were safely evacuated.
Fire engines were dispatched promptly to extinguish the flames, the official elaborated.
Train number 12204, the Amritsar-Saharsa Garib Rath Express, covers a distance of 1,716 km in over 31 hours. The service operates three days a week from Amritsar: Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday.
On its route between Amritsar and Saharsa, train number 12204 stops at 23 stations, including Beas, Jalandhar City, Phagwara, Dhandari Kalan, Ambala Cantt, Delhi, Hapur, Moradabad, Bareilly, Hardoi, Lucknow NR, Gorakhpur, Deoria Sadar, Siwan, Chhapra, Hajipur, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Dalsingh Sarai, Barauni, Begu Sarai, Khagaria, and S Bakhtiyarpur.