Blaze engulfs 18 wagons after fuel leak triggers ignition; no casualties reported as emergency teams battle flames for hours
14 July 2025, New Delhi
A massive fire broke out early Sunday morning on a diesel-laden freight train near Tiruvallur in Tamil Nadu, triggering panic and causing major disruption to rail traffic on the busy Chennai–Arakkonam corridor. Initial investigations suggest the blaze may have been sparked by a short circuit in overhead electrical equipment, which came into contact with leaking diesel from one of the wagons.
The fire is reported to have broken out around 5:30 a.m., originating from a centrally positioned diesel tanker. Within minutes, the flames rapidly spread to 18 adjoining fuel-laden wagons, turning the train into a line of fire. Thick columns of black smoke rose high into the sky and were visible from several kilometers away, triggering fear and confusion among residents in nearby areas.
A coordinated emergency response swiftly mobilized 17 fire tenders, more than 70 fire and rescue personnel, along with assistance from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local police. Firefighters battled the inferno for hours, finally gaining full control by midday. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries or fatalities, although residents and nearby hospital wards were evacuated as a precaution.
The fire brought train operations along one of Tamil Nadu’s key railway lines to a standstill. Multiple express and passenger trains were either cancelled or rerouted, and EMU suburban services on the down-slow line remained suspended for much of the day. To support stranded travelers, Southern Railway arranged over 100 government-operated MTC and TNSTC buses.
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Railway officials acted quickly to detach 30 unaffected wagons and the locomotive, moving them away from the blaze and preventing further escalation. A high-level inquiry committee has been formed to investigate potential causes, including maintenance negligence or electrical faults.
Local residents described scenes of chaos as the fire surged close to homes. “We heard a loud explosion and saw fireballs lighting up the sky—it was terrifying,” said one eyewitness watching from his rooftop.
Railway engineers and safety inspectors are currently assessing damage to the tracks and overhead infrastructure. While partial rail movement resumed by 8:00 p.m., full restoration is expected to take additional time as comprehensive safety checks continue.
In case of rail emergencies, please contact Indian Railways’ helpline at: 139
