Jaisalmer: Passengers on the Swarna Nagri Express (12468) travelling from Delhi to Jaisalmer were in for a shock when they saw smoke emanating from the wheels around 9 am Sunday. The loco pilot applied emergency brakes and stopped the train, prompting passengers to alight from the coach as a precaution.According to information received, a fire broke out under the S-2 coach of the Swarna Nagri Express Sunday morning near Jetha-Chandhan railway station between approximately 9:15 and 9:30 am. The train departed from Lathi station for Jaisalmer at its scheduled time. On noticing smoke coming from the coach, the loco pilot applied emergency brakes between Jetha and Chandhan railway stations and stopped the train in a forest area. Railway technical staff and the guard reached the affected coach and using fire extinguishers, brought the fire under control. The train remained stationary on the track for about 20 minutes, during which passengers alighted with their luggage. After a preliminary investigation and checks for passenger safety, the train was dispatched to Jaisalmer with a delay of about 20 minutes. No official statement was issued by the railway administration on the cause of the fire. Railway experts said the incident could be due to ‘brake binding’, in which brake shoes stick to the wheel, causing continuous friction and increasing the possibility of fire due to rubber overheating. The cause is under investigation. Dinesh Khatri, a resident of Ramgarh travelling on the train, said, “The passengers were getting ready to deboard when the train would reache Jaisalmer. However, suddenly brakes were applied and there was heavy smoke. The smoke caused commotion. Initially, we were clueless. Then some people helped everyone alight from the coach. By then, railway staff had also reached the spot.” Another passenger said there was sudden heavy smoke in the S-2 coach and, after the train was stopped, flames were seen rising from under the coach.
