Two coaches of Padmavati Exp catch fire, no casualities

Vijaywada, Sep 24 (UNI) Passengers had a narrow escape when two coaches of the Secunderabad-Tirupati Padmavati Express caught fire at Rajapalem in Prakasam disrict today.

The Vulavapadu station staff and guard of the train initially noticed smoke emanating from a three-tier AC coach and the driver later halted the train after reaching Rajapalem, Railway sources told UNI.

The driver and guard of the train immediately alerted the passengers sleeping in the three-tier and two-tier AC coaches, which were in the rear of the train, next to the guard van coach, the sources added.

The passengers were immediately disembarked. However, three of them complained of suffocation problems. They were later shifted to Kondukuru private hospital, where their condition was reported to be stable.

The three-tier AC coach was fully gutted in the fire, while the two-tier AC coach was partially burnt.

The two caoches and the guard van coach were delinked and the Railway officials allowed the train to proceed.

The trains coming from Chennai and Tirupati to Vijaywada were stopped at different stations following the incident. According to the sources, the Vijaywada-Chennai Pinakani Express, which was to leave at 0600 hrs from here left at 0800 hrs.

South Central Railway (SCR) Chief PRO Panabaka Krishnaiah said that the Railway officials from Vijaywada reached the spot and medical relief vans were also moved in from Bitragunta and Vijaywada.

The fire was reported to have been put off and the burnt coaches were brought to the Vulavapadu railway station, where forensic teams from Guntur would examine them and submit a preliminary report.

The Railway authorities sent the stranded passengers of the two coaches by APSRTC buses to their destination.

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