Fire erupts in goods train bogie carrying fuel, tragedy averted

Sameer Singh

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, June 26

A major tragedy was averted when one of the bogies of a train carrying fuel caught fire near Katar Singh Wala village on Tuesday evening.

According to information, the Fire Brigade Department received a call from the station incharge of the Katar Singh Wala railway station that one of the bogies of a goods train had caught fire.

Makhan Ram from the Fire Brigade Department said, “After receiving the call, we sent two fire-tending vehicles which doused the flames.”

According to sources in the police, a man was trying to steal fuel from a goods train on Tuesday. They added that the man came in contact with high-tension wires of the railway line and one of the coaches of the train caught fire.

Surprisingly, the Bathinda police and the Government Railway Police (GRP) had different official statements on the incident.

While on one hand the city police said they had registered a case against a person for attempting to steal fuel from the goods train, on the other, GRP officials denied any such incident.

Ramswaroop Meena, Station Superintendent, Bathinda railway station, said he had no information regarding the incident and the station incharge in Katar Singh Wala village could comment on it.

Kuswant Singh, station house officer, GRP, also denied of receiving any information about a train catching fire at Katar Singh Wala village.

Jaswant Singh, ASI, GRP, said, “A man was carrying a bottle of fuel and he lit up a cigarette, leading to the fire. The man sustained major burns and later, he was admitted to the Civil Hospital in Bathinda. We were not informed about any fire in a train coach or stealing incident.”

However, SSP Nanak Singh said, “A few people were trying to steal fuel from a train near Katar Singh Wala village when one of them came in contact with high-tension wires. He was electrocuted and suffered major burns. Besides, one of the coaches of the train caught fire. We have registered a case under Section 379 of the IPC against the man.”

“There is a depot Bharat Petroleum at the village from where fuel is transported to other parts of the country in goods trains. If the fire was not controlled on time, a major tragedy could have taken place, causing colossal damage as there are several residents living in different villages around the area,” said a fire officer.

Residents of Katar Singh Wala village said incidents of fuel theft from trains were a common practice and the authorities concerned had failed to take appropriate action against the thieves.

Residents of Gulabgarh, Katar Singhwala, Jassi Pauwali and Phus Mandi will meet the SSP regarding the incident on Thursday.

What police say

A few people were trying to steal fuel from a train near Katar Singh Wala village when one of them came in contact with high-tension wires. He suffered major burns. Besides, one of the coaches of the train caught fire. We have registered a case under Section 379 of the IPC against the man. —Nanak Singh, SSP

A man was carrying a bottle of fuel and he lit up a cigarette, leading to the fire. The man sustained major burns and later, he was admitted to the Civil Hospital in Bathinda. We were not informed about any fire in a train bogie or stealing incident. —Jaswant Singh, ASI, GRP 

What Railways has to say

• Ramswaroop Meena, Station Superintendent, Bathinda railway station, said he had no information regarding the incident and the station incharge in Katar Singh Wala village could comment on it.
• Kuswant Singh, Station House Officer, GRP, also denied of receiving any information about a train catching fire at Katar Singh Wala village.