Fire in Kalka-Howrah Express

Kurukshetra, November 27

A fire broke out in the front coach of the Kalka-Howrah Express in the early hours of Tuesday. Five persons, including three children, were hospitalised after they complained of uneasiness caused by heavy smoke in the coach. No one was reportedly injured.

The Howrah-bound train had started from Kalka early morning and the incident took place between Dhirpur and Dhoda Khedia railway stations near here around 3 am.

Sources in the Northern Railways said the blaze was reported in a seating-cum-luggage (SLR) coach next to the engine.

Sources said an electrical short-circuit was believed to be the reason.

“Passengers were sleeping when the fire was noticed and there was commotion in the train. But the alert loco pilot immediately stopped the train and detached the affected coach, preventing the fire from spreading to other coaches,” said an official. — TNS