Fire breaks out on moving train in Sitakunda, probe committee formed

A fire broke out in a power car of the Dhaka-bound Chattala Express while the train was in motion in Sitakunda, Chattogram, triggering panic among passengers. However, no casualties have been reported.

The incident occurred around 6:45am today (26 March) near the Bangladesh Military Academy (BMA) gate in Bhatiary union and a four-member probe committee has been formed by Eastern Railway.

According to Fire Service and railway sources, the train left Chattogram station for Dhaka around 6:30am with 17 coaches. About half an hour into the journey, the fire originated in the power-generating coach located in front of an air-conditioned carriage.

A passenger first spotted the flames and alerted others. The train was then signaled to stop immediately, allowing passengers to disembark and move to a safe distance.

Sub-officer of the Sitakunda Fire Service Ahsan Habib said they rushed to the scene after receiving reports of the fire around 7am.

"Upon arrival, we saw the power car on fire. The blaze was quickly brought under control," he said.

He added that before firefighters arrived, railway officials, army personnel, and locals had already separated the unaffected coaches and moved them to Faujdarhat station.

Sub-Inspector (SI) Abul Kalam Azad, in charge of the Faujdarhat Railway Police outpost, said an elderly passenger first noticed the fire while going to the washroom and alerted others, prompting an emergency signal to stop the train. Passengers quickly disembarked after the train came to a halt.

He further said the affected coach and an adjacent carriage were detached and taken to Faujdarhat station. The train will resume its journey to Dhaka after new coaches are attached.

Locals said they rushed to assist in rescue efforts after hearing passengers screaming.

The exact cause of the fire could not be immediately determined. Train movement on the Dhaka-bound line in the BMA gate area was briefly suspended, though services continued on an alternative track.

Meanwhile, Chattogram Railway Divisional Transport Officer Anisur Rahman told TBS that the fire originated from the power car. An inspection has been carried out to determine the cause. He added that train movement was not disrupted as the down line remained clear, and the damaged train resumed its journey to Dhaka about four hours later.

4-member probe committee formed

A four-member investigation committee has been formed by Eastern Railway following the fire incident on the Chattala Express train in Sitakunda, Chattogram.

The committee has been instructed to submit its report within the next three working days.

Talking to The Business Standard, Divisional Railway Manager of Eastern Railway Mostafizur Rahman Bhuiyan said, "The committee has been tasked to determine the cause of the fire and assess the extent of damage within the stipulated time."

He added, "Preliminary assumptions suggest that the fire originated from a power car. However, more details will be confirmed after the investigation report is submitted. Further actions will be taken based on the committee's recommendations."