Karmabhoomi Express fire in Punjab: 4 coaches gutted, all passengers safe
Synopsis
Four coaches of the Karmabhoomi Express gutted in Patiala on Friday — but a swift response from the loco pilot and guard, who detected a pressure drop and halted the train before the fire could spread further, ensured every passenger escaped unhurt. The incident echoes a near-identical Bihar train fire in August, raising fresh questions about onboard fire safety systems on Indian Railways.
Key Takeaways
Four coaches of the Karmabhoomi Express caught fire near Sarai Banjara , Patiala district , on 6 November 2026 .
The train was travelling from Amritsar to New Jalpaiguri , West Bengal , when the fire broke out between Rajpura and Sadhu Garh stations.
The loco pilot and guard detected the emergency via automatic chain pulling (ACP) and pressure drop, enabling a swift halt and evacuation.
All passengers were evacuated safely; no injuries or casualties were reported, confirmed DRM Vinod Kumar Bhatia .
Strong winds caused the fire to spread from one coach to four coaches before it was brought under control.
A similar train fire incident occurred in Bihar in August , involving the Samastipur-Saharsa Passenger train at Simri Bakhtiyarpur station.
A major disaster was averted in Patiala district, Punjab, on Friday, 6 November 2026, after four coaches of the Karmabhoomi Express — travelling from Amritsar to New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal — caught fire near Sarai Banjara. All passengers on board escaped without injury, officials confirmed.
How the Fire Was Detected and Contained
The blaze broke out between Rajpura and Sadhu Garh railway stations. Ambala Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Vinod Kumar Bhatia told reporters that the loco pilot and guard first noticed an automatic chain pulling (ACP) signal and a drop in brake pressure, prompting them to halt the train. 'When the loco pilot and guard noticed automatic chain pulling (ACP) and dropping of pressure, they quickly brought the train under control. After getting down, they noticed fire and smoke and immediately took precautions,' Bhatia said.
Once alerted, the guard contacted the railway control room, which regulated and controlled movement on the adjacent track as a precaution. All affected coaches were isolated to prevent the flames from spreading further.
Scale of the Incident
Bhatia confirmed that the fire initially broke out in a single coach, but strong winds at the time of the incident caused it to spread rapidly. 'A total of four coaches were affected. No one was injured and there were no casualties,' he said. All passengers were successfully evacuated before the blaze engulfed the additional coaches.
Pattern of Train Fire Incidents in India
This incident is not an isolated occurrence. A comparable fire was reported in Bihar in August, when a blaze broke out aboard the Samastipur-Saharsa Passenger train (63344) at Simri Bakhtiyarpur railway station in Saharsa district. In that incident, fire originating near the train's middle engine rapidly engulfed three coaches, triggering panic among passengers and railway staff. Thick smoke and flames created chaotic scenes at the station before firefighters brought the blaze under control. All passengers reportedly evacuated safely in that case as well.
Notably, train fire incidents in India have repeatedly exposed gaps in onboard fire detection systems and emergency response protocols, with railway safety experts calling for mandatory automatic fire suppression systems on long-distance trains.
What Happens Next
Railway officials have initiated an inquiry into the cause of the fire aboard the Karmabhoomi Express. The Indian Railways is expected to review the condition of the affected coaches and assess whether maintenance lapses or electrical faults contributed to the incident. The train's journey to New Jalpaiguri was disrupted, and passengers were likely transferred to alternative services, though no official communication on rescheduling was immediately available.
Point of View
In Punjab and Bihar, suggest this is a systemic gap rather than a one-off. Railway safety audits need to move beyond track inspections and prioritise onboard fire risk — particularly on overnight express trains where passengers have fewer exits and less time to react.
NationPress
6 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the Karmabhoomi Express in Punjab?
Four coaches of the Karmabhoomi Express caught fire near Sarai Banjara in Patiala district, Punjab, on 6 November 2026. The train was on its way from Amritsar to New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal when the incident occurred; all passengers were safely evacuated with no injuries reported.
How was the fire on the Karmabhoomi Express detected?
The loco pilot and guard noticed an automatic chain pulling (ACP) signal and a drop in brake pressure, which prompted them to halt the train. After stepping off the train, they spotted fire and smoke and immediately began evacuation and isolation procedures.
Were any passengers injured in the Karmabhoomi Express fire?
No. Ambala DRM Vinod Kumar Bhatia confirmed that all passengers were evacuated safely and there were no injuries or casualties from the fire.
Why did the fire spread to four coaches?
According to DRM Vinod Kumar Bhatia, the fire initially started in a single coach but strong winds at the time of the incident caused it to spread to three additional coaches before it could be fully contained.
Has a similar train fire incident occurred before in India recently?
Yes. A comparable fire broke out in August on the Samastipur-Saharsa Passenger train (63344) at Simri Bakhtiyarpur railway station in Bihar's Saharsa district. Fire reportedly started near the train's middle engine and spread to three coaches; all passengers reportedly evacuated safely in that incident as well.
