Seven persih as Doon Express catches fire

Agencies

Giridih, 22 November 2011: A four-year-old girl and her mother are among seven people who were killed when two coaches of the Howrah-Dehradun express train caught fire early Tuesday in Giridih district of Jharkhand. 

 

The two victims have been identified as Arpita and Anumita and the officials fear that the death toll may go up. 

 

According to reports, the incident took place near the Nimiyaghat railway station. A Railway Ministry spokesperson at New Delhi confirmed the incident saying, "The fire broke out at 2:30 am in B-1 AC coach and then it spread to B-2 AC coach."

 

Both the coaches have been detached from the train and rescue operations are still on. Railway authorities have confirmed that the blaze has been brought under control. 

 

Although the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, it is being said that a short-circuit could have started it. 

 

Meanwhile, an inquiry has also been ordered by the Commissioner Railway Safety (CRS), the spokesman said.

 

Senior officials of East Central Railway said that the fire was first spotted in the coach between Parasnath and Nimiaghat stations. 

 

Railway has set up a helpline for relatives of the passengers. The helpline numbers are 033-26413660, 033-26402243 and 032-62220518.