Empty train coach catches fire at Katwa station, raising safety concerns

An empty passenger coach of a local train caught fire at Katwa railway station in West Bengal’s Purba Bardhaman district in the early hours of Sunday, prompting swift action by railway and fire officials. No injuries were reported , as the coach was not carrying passengers at the time of the incident.

The fire was noticed around 4.30 am in a compartment of the Katwa-Azimganj passenger train standing at platform number two . Station staff and passengers waiting on the platform saw flames emerging from the coach, triggering brief panic at the station.

Railway employees immediately detached the affected coach from the rest of the train to prevent the blaze from spreading. Fire tenders reached the spot and brought the fire under control within about 30 minutes , officials said.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire . Preliminary assessments suggest the blaze may have been triggered by an electrical short circuit , overheating of onboard equipment, or other technical faults. Officials have not ruled out external factors.

Such incidents, though often contained quickly, reflect a recurring safety challenge on the national railway network. Railway safety data indicate that India records 30 to 40 fire-related incidents on trains each year , many involving stationary or empty coaches in railway yards and platforms.

While fires account for a smaller proportion of railway accidents compared to derailments and collisions, experts warn they pose a high risk due to their sudden and unpredictable nature . A fire starting in an unattended coach can escalate rapidly if it spreads to occupied compartments.

The Katwa incident caused only material damage, but it has renewed focus on the need for regular maintenance checks , upgraded electrical systems, and stricter monitoring of idle trains. Railway authorities said safety inspections would be intensified to prevent similar incidents in the future.