Expert committee to probe train fire

Madurai, Mar 12 (UNI) Southern Railway has constituted a five-member expert committee to probe into the fire in the luggage-cum-parcel van of the Super Fast Pandiyan Express near Vadamadurai in Dindigul district today.

Talking to UNI here, Additional Divisional Railway Manager of Madurai Division of Southern Railways D K Nayak, who inspected the burnt coach, said the committee, headed by Senior Divisional Mechanical Engineer R Prathap, had started the investigation.

The multi-disciplinary committee comprising senior officials of electrical, mechanical, commercial and safety and security sections were expected to submit its report to the SR General Manager within ten days, he said.

Mr Nayak said forensic experts had collected samples of burnt portions of the coach and sent for clinical analysis.

Stating that the committee was investigating whether any inflammable substance was kept in the train, he said the exact reason for the mishap would be known only after a detailed probe.

The train bound for Madurai was stopped near Vadamadurai after the driver noticed smoke from the parcel van.

None was injured in the mishap.

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