VISAKHAPATNAM: A 70-year-old person was charred to death in a major fire that broke out on the Ernakulam Express at Yalamanchili railway station in Anakapalli district in the wee hours of Monday. The loco pilot noticed the flames and stopped the train at the station.
The fire started in the B1 coach, following which railway staff separated the remaining coaches from the train. As soon as the train was halted at Yalamanchili station, passengers ran in panic.The train was travelling from Tatanagar to Ernakulam when the loco pilot spotted the fire near Yalamanchili railway station. The B1 and B2 coaches were completely gutted in the blaze.Railway authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, according to preliminary reports. Four fire tenders rushed to the spot and doused the fire. Home minister V Anita enquired about the incident and instructed the authorities to take immediate and appropriate measures.All 82 passengers in one coach and 76 in the other were safely evacuated, acording to SP Tuhin Sinha.
