Saharsa (Bihar): Panic struck Simri Bakhtiyarpur railway station in Saharsa district early Monday morning when a massive fire broke out in the engine and an adjacent coach of the Samastipur–Saharsa passenger train (No. 63344). Fortunately, due to the prompt action of railway staff and locals, all passengers were evacuated safely, averting a major train tragedy.

Passengers Were Asleep, Panic Ensued

The incident occurred around 3 AM on Monday. As soon as the train came to a halt at Simri Bakhtiyarpur station, dense smoke and flames suddenly started emanating from its engine. In no time, the fire took a fierce form and engulfed the adjacent coach. Most passengers were sleeping at that time. Seeing the smoke and flames, panic broke out on the station premises. Amid chaotic screams, people began jumping out through windows and doors to save their lives.

Fire Controlled After 2.5 Hours of Effort

Upon receiving news of the accident, teams from the RPF, local police, and the fire department promptly reached the spot. Firefighters had to exert immense effort to extinguish the blaze. After nearly two and a half hours of tireless effort, the fire was completely brought under control by 5:30 AM. Following this, around 6 AM, the railway track was cleared, and train traffic was restored to normal.

Several Major Trains Impacted

Simri Bakhtiyarpur Station Superintendent Sanjay Kumar Sajjan stated that train operations were severely disrupted due to the fire. Several major trains ran significantly behind their scheduled timings:

Kosi Express (Saharsa–Patna)

Janki Express (Manihari–Jayanagar)

Saharsa–Samastipur Passenger

Shrawani Special (Saharsa–Deoghar)

Short Circuit Suspected as Cause

Preliminary investigations suggest a short circuit as the primary cause of the fire. Following the incident, senior officials from the railway and local administration inspected the scene. The railway administration has initiated a high-level inquiry to determine the exact cause of the accident.