Smoke coming out of four coaches of Amritsar-Katihar Express, which caught fire in Patiala on Friday. (Img: X)
Patiala: A major fire broke out in the Karmabhoomi Express in Punjab's Patiala district on Friday, engulfing four coaches of the train and triggering panic among passengers. The incident occurred near Sarai Banjara railway station, close to Rajpura, while the train was travelling from Amritsar to New Jalpaiguri.
The blaze was reported at around 1 pm in Train No. 12508, with the fire initially detected in the fifth coach from the locomotive. Thick plumes of smoke and flames emerging from the coaches were visible from a considerable distance, prompting an emergency response.
According to initial media reports, no casualties or injuries had been reported at the time of publication. The precise cause of the fire and the extent of damage were yet to be officially ascertained.
According to preliminary information, the fire was first noticed in the fifth coach from the engine of the Karmabhoomi Express. The blaze subsequently affected four coaches, as reported by a leading news channel. The incident took place near Sarai Banjara, between Sirhind and Rajpura in Punjab. Some reports have also identified the location as being close to Basantpura railway station.
Visuals from the spot showed flames engulfing parts of the train, accompanied by dense smoke rising above the railway track. The incident caused alarm among passengers and people in nearby areas.
A leading news channel reported that railway officials and emergency personnel reached the site following the incident. Further details concerning the evacuation of passengers and restoration of train operations were awaited.
A short circuit is suspected to have triggered the fire, according to preliminary information cited by the media. However, railway authorities had not officially confirmed the cause of the incident at the time of reporting.
The exact sequence of events leading to the outbreak and spread of the fire, including whether an electrical fault was responsible, is expected to be examined by the concerned authorities. There was also no official confirmation available on the extent of damage suffered by the affected coaches.
The Karmabhoomi Superfast Express connects Amritsar in Punjab with New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal. The train was operating as Train No. 12508 at the time of the incident. Northern Railway had earlier notified a revision in the train's number from 12408 to 12508, effective August 14, 2026, for services originating from Amritsar.
The incident also brings the safety arrangements in passenger coaches under scrutiny. In August 2026, the Ministry of Railways informed Parliament about the fire-prevention and emergency-response measures implemented across the railway network.
According to the Ministry, passenger coaches are equipped with at least two fire extinguishers. Fire and smoke detection systems have also been provided in coaches in accordance with applicable guidelines. Other measures include the use of fire-retardant materials, protective electrical circuit devices and emergency windows to facilitate evacuation.
The Rail Madad helpline, accessible through 139, is available to passengers seeking assistance during emergencies. The Ministry has also highlighted coordination mechanisms involving railway personnel, local police, fire services, medical facilities and district administrations for responding to fire incidents. Further details about the cause of Friday's fire, the extent of damage and the railway authorities' findings are awaited.
