Railways – Coal-Laden Freight Train Fire Brought Under Control in Odisha
Railways – A coal-carrying freight train caught fire while passing through Kesinga town in Odisha on Friday evening, prompting an immediate response from railway authorities and local emergency services. The incident was handled swiftly, and officials confirmed that no injuries were reported and rail operations remained largely unaffected.
Emergency Response Activated Quickly
According to information released by East Coast Railway, smoke and flames were detected in a coal-loaded goods train moving through the Sambalpur Division at around 7:15 PM. Railway personnel on duty immediately initiated emergency procedures and informed the relevant authorities to prevent the situation from escalating.
Officials acted without delay, coordinating with local firefighting teams and monitoring the train’s movement to ensure public safety and protect railway infrastructure.
Firefighting Operations at Titlagarh
Following the detection of the fire, the train was moved to Titlagarh, where emergency crews prepared for firefighting efforts. The train reached the location at approximately 8:15 PM, allowing responders to begin containment measures in a controlled environment.
The Fire Brigade arrived at the scene around 8:25 PM and launched operations to extinguish the blaze. Teams worked efficiently to prevent the fire from spreading to additional wagons and nearby railway assets.
Five Wagons Reportedly Affected
Preliminary assessments indicated that five wagons carrying coal were impacted by the fire. Authorities stated that senior railway officials, technical personnel, and emergency response teams remained present throughout the operation to supervise safety measures and evaluate the extent of the damage.
Officials continued inspections after the flames were contained to ensure there was no risk of reignition. Necessary checks were also conducted before preparing the affected rake for further movement.
Passenger Services Remained Uninterrupted
Railway authorities confirmed that the incident did not disrupt passenger train operations. Emergency teams successfully brought the situation under control within a short period, allowing normal rail traffic to continue on the route.
A statement issued by the railway administration noted that the fire had been completely extinguished and that efforts were underway to restore the freight train for onward transportation. The prompt coordination between railway staff and fire service personnel played a key role in limiting the impact of the incident.
Recent Fire Incident in Bhubaneswar
The latest railway fire comes only weeks after another major firefighting operation in Odisha. Earlier in May, a large blaze broke out at a tyre workshop and storage facility located in the Mancheswar Industrial Area of Bhubaneswar.
The fire required a significant emergency response involving 12 fire engines, 55 firefighters, and advanced firefighting equipment, including a robotic monitor. The operation continued for nearly three and a half hours before authorities successfully contained the flames.
Speaking about the Bhubaneswar incident, fire officials said additional teams from multiple stations were called in after the scale of the blaze became clear. Coordinated efforts by firefighters and senior officers helped prevent further damage and eventually brought the situation under control.
The two incidents highlight the importance of rapid emergency response systems and coordinated action by railway and fire service departments in managing unexpected fire-related emergencies across the state.